Adeniyi Adewale, CG, Nigera Customs Service

The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit, Zone C, Owerri,  has confirmed interception of various contraband with a duty paid value of N1bn between March 20, 2025, till date.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Bashir Balogun, disclosed this on Thursday while showcasing some of the contraband to journalists in Owerri.

He added that as part of the unit’s revenue recovery, a total of N13.4m was generated from demand notices within the period under review.

“A systematic crackdown has given birth to the apprehension of illicit goods with a duty-paid value of N1bn within one month,” he said.

Balogun described smuggling as an economic sabotage, which would have negative impacts on local industries and affect the well-being of individuals.

He said some of the seized contrabands included 725 bales of second-hand used clothing and 2,762 rolls of satin fabric of 60 yards.

“Others include, 2,589 used tires, 233 sacks of foreign rice, 181 rolls of wall covering, 102 bottles of diesel 75cl each, 80 jerrycans of premium motor spirit, 78 jerrycans of crude oil, 32 new tires, 25 bales of cannabis sativa, 24 bottles of diesel 150cl each, 14 bags of foreign rice, three cartons of red wine, one sack of used shoes, one Scania truck with registration number, Mercedes truck, two Mack Trucks, two 50ft empty containers, among others,” Balogun said.

He reiterated that some of the anti-smuggling measures put in place by the command led to the interception and seizure of the goods.

Balogun commended the officers/men of the unit even as he anchored the successes to focus, diligence, professionalism, “and the decision to contribute to the national economy, by blocking all revenue leakages, enforcement of trade facilitation, and taking charge of the nation’s entry points which is of uttermost importance to the unit.”

The CAC warned that no matter the intentions of smugglers and their patronisers, the unit will not relent in carrying out its statutory functions, which are backed up with intelligence-driven strategies.

He vowed that the unit must work together to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to succeed.

Balogun also called on traders and stakeholders to be compliant, adding that the officers are professionally trained to checkmate the activities of non-compliant traders and block likely areas of revenue leakages.

According to him, in the spirit of the inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis sativa would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

He mentioned that the unit is determined to sanitise the zone of any form of illegal activities and facilitate legitimate trade.8

Balogun highlighted that the service is committed to the consolidation of successes achieved, collaborative engagement with critical stakeholders, “and innovative ideas in its dealings to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in customs operations.”