NCS ZONE C CONFISCATES SMUGGLED PETROLEUM PRODUCT, CONTRABAND WORTH OVER #500M
REPORTER: UGONNA AGU
Amidst the biting scarcity of petroleum products in the country, the Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone C, says it has confiscated 36,000 (thirty six thousand) litres of smuggled petroleum products concealed in polythene bags.
The comptroller in charge of the zone, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, announced this to journalists at their zonal headquaters in Owerri while recounting the anti smuggling gains of the zone between January 1st and February 28th 2022.
Mr. Ibrahim listed 640 cartons of pharmaceutical products, including tramadol; 1,650 Jumbo bales of used clothings hidden in animal dung; 181 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 2,239 pieces of used tyres as other goods seized by the Zone.
The Comptroller Customs Zone C, who gave the total Duty Paid Value of the contraband goods at #529,056,456.00, said that eight exotic vehicles without relevant customs documents were also seized.
“Out of the seized goods, we have eight exotic cars intercepted, including 3 brand new Toyota hilux 2020, 2021 and 2017 and one Oga to land cruiser among others,” he enumerated.
Mr. Ibrahim said that six persons were arrested in connection with the seizures made in different locations of the zone, but had been granted administrative bail.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and guardians to appeal to their wards to desist from the incessant attacks and killings of security personnel.
“We have been making seizures despite the attack and killings of our personnel while on their legitimate duty.
“We are neither detered nor discouraged. We will not be intimidated. It’s either they stop or we get them.
“We are more resolute to implement the federal government’s fiscal policy,” Mr. Ibrahim boasted.
The custom FOU zone C boss also thanked other sister security agencies for their synergy in the fight against corruption in the country.
The Nigerian Customs Service Federal Operations Unit zone C is made up of the 11 states of the South East and South South geopolitical zones of the country.