In addition to the existing combat weapons the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has received four new boats to confront the die hard smugglers on the waterways.
Also recorded to his credit in the first quarter of the year 2023 was the amount of N110.2 million being Duty paid Value from 15 incidents of Seizures.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Oduadu Salefu disclosed this during a press briefing in the command conference room on Tuesday in Lagos.
The CAC revealed that a total of seven boats have been procured by the command, while its await the arrival of three other watercrafts from the manufacturer.
Comptroller Oduadu affirmed that the two existing boats of the Command ; MV Group of Nine and MV Customs Pride are currently undergoing repairs and would soon be deployed to complement the new ones.
He noted that some of the personnel from the command are currently undergoing training with the Nigerian Navy on maritime safety and security adding that the service has continued to train and retrain officers and men on seafaring activities.
Giving details of the seizures, Salefu said these includes; 1,519 bags of 50kg-size foreign parboiled rice; 8,825 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) contained in 468 kegs of 25 liters each.
Others are; 700 pairs of foreign-used shoes; 20 used foreign ladies’ bags; 88 cartons of Caro White Cream (beaching cream), 50 pairs of expired tyres, 3 Outboard boat engines and one water pumping machine.
Salefu disclosed that five suspects were arrested within the period but have been granted administrative bail pending when charges will be proffered against them in court.
He said: “In line with the responsibilities conferred on the NCS by the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap C45 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria LFN 2004 as amended, the command continues to suppress smuggling along the South-Western waterways and Creeks.
“All actions of our operatives are in line with the provisions of Sections 149 (Power to vehicles/ship) and 158 (Power to patrol freely) of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the importation of foreign parboiled rice, HS Code 1006.30.1000, is restricted in Nigeria by the Federal government since March 2016.
“Any improper importation of foreign rice, contrary to allowed trade route restriction, is liable to forfeiture, further to section 46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act(CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended,” he stated.
