2023 Elections: Customs FOU, Zone 'A' Intercepts Military Uniforms, Petroleum Products and other Items

By Kathy Kyari

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone "A" of the Nigerian Customs has intercepted smuggled petroleum products, military camouflage, and other commodities worth N517, 918,790 in Lagos prior to the 2023 General Elections.

At a media briefing on February 8th, 2023, Hussein Ejibunu, acting controller of the FOU, Zone "A," revealed this.

According to Ejibunu, the Unit's anti-smuggling and re-strategizing efforts were the cause of the seizures.

"In continuation of our anti-smuggling drive and protection of revenue loss, this Unit had re-strategized its operations and re-injected new schemes to tackle the economic menace caused by recalcitrant importers and agents. We have harnessed our human resources and logistics for the prevention of economic sabotage".

"We did not only re-strategize our operations but our officers are urged to be more professional, and are keyed into the Service’s Standard Operations Procedure (SOP); aimed at facilitating legitimate trade. In doing this, we are assuring all compliant traders and importers that they have nothing to fear. While the recalcitrant ones are advised to desist because we are better mobilized with high morale to arrest, prosecute, and make them loose their wares in forfeiture to the federal government".

Hussein Ejibunu disclosed that, among the 68 illegal military uniforms discovered in January 2023 were 13 used cars, and 47,750 liters of premium gasoline.

The National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency also received 2,135 wraps (1,163 kg) of Indian hemp, according to the controller.

The seizures, he added, were evidence of the officers' devotion to their jobs and unwavering adherence to their legal obligations to safeguard the national economy and prevent the entry of dangerous items.

The commodities were seized, according to the Acting Controller, in the South-West's border corridors for breaking several Customs laws. A total of eleven (11) people were detained in relation to some of the goods. While three (3) individuals had been found guilty of smuggling by the Federal High Court.

"The total duty paid value (DPV) of the seized goods is Five Hundred and Seventeen Million, Nine Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Naira N517,918,790. While the sum of Eighty-Six Million, One Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Eight Naira, Fifty Kobo (N86,117,398.50) was recovered as revenue into the Federation Account through the issuance of demand notices (DN) on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid".

"Considering the spate of insecurity across the country, and the upcoming general elections; it can be postulated that the importation of Indian Hemp, and military camouflage could be used to fuel crimes and electoral violence by unpatriotic elements. While the former is under prohibition, the latter are under the control and supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser, which requires End-User Certificates".

In order to aid the Unit perform its tasks, Comptroller Ejibunu implored the public to be security-conscious and share pertinent information at the appropriate time.

"Members of the public are hereby, enjoined to key into the prevailing security concerns by providing useful, and timely information that would expose and lead to the arrest of the enemies of the state".