The Strike Force Team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday announced that it seized 5,662 bags of suspected smuggled rice and 137 bales of second hand clothes both valued at N137 million.
The National Coordinator, Headquarters of the NIS Strike Force Team, Abuja, Mr Abdullahi Kirawa, gave this hint while briefing journalists in Calabar, Cross River State.
He explained that the seizure was made within Cross River and Akwa Ibom Area Commands of the service, adding that the Strike Force Team, which operated under `ZONE C,’ covered the South-South and South East states of the country.
Kirawa, who is a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, explained that the seizure of the consignments was made within the last one month by men of the team in furtherance of the Federal Government’s policy of tackling the menace of imported rice into the country.
He said: “In the last one month, men of the strike force team have seized 5,662 suspected smuggled foreign bags of rice and 137 bales of second hand clothes within Calabar and Akwa Ibom Area Command. How Customs stalled Ease of Doing Business at ports – Maritime stakeholders
“Out of the 5,662 bags of rice, 2,153 were handed over to the Strike Force Team by the Nigerian Navy. This shows the collaboration and synergy that exist between the NIS, Nigerian Navy, police and other sister agencies.
“It is of note that this seizure wouldn’t have been possible without the motivation of the Comptroller General of Customs, Rtd. Col. Hameed Ali, who has given us all that is required to do the job.
“The Comptroller General has given us all that is needed to ensure that not only is smuggling reduced or suppressed to the barest minimum, but to ensure that the menace of these smugglers is not perpetrated in these areas”, Kirawa added.
The DCC advised members of the public to provide the Service with useful and credible information that would help the team to make more arrests, adding that the seizure is high because of the yuletide when smugglers’ activities are usually on the increase.
Kirawa explained further that the disposal of seized goods rests squarely on the board of the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to him, the suspects arrested with the rice will be charged to court but that for now, they are on administrative bail.
The Customs officer commended the Nigerian Navy, Police and other security agencies for their collaboration and cooperation with the Service.
