The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone “C” Owerri, Imo State, says it has seized assorted contraband with an overall Duty Paid Value of N281,258,822 with N25,356,397 as total underpayment recovered.
The Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. David Dimka, who disclosed this to newsmen, said 32 suspects were also arrested in connection with the illegal business while 21 cases were currently in various courts.
Dimka listed 325 bales of second hand clothing with a DPV of N41,570,000; 526 pieces of foreign used tyres with DPV of N3, 156,000; cartons of rubber slippers, which had a DPV of N41,320,000 and three vehicles with DPV of N5,659, 125 as items recorded within the Owerri axis.
Additionally, Dimka said a total of 46 vehicles with a DPV of N222,287,855; three vehicles with a DPV of N3,517,842 and 40 bags of 50kg rice with a DPV of N748,000 (52 vehicles in all) were equally made in Benin/Calabar and Enugu accordingly.
He explained that the seizures made between September 30, 2015, and November 2015, within the zones was as result of the renewed vigour of the officers and men of the unit and the support of some sister agencies.
Dimka disclosed that the latest feat was accomplished by the combined efforts of officers and men on duty, who he said were irrevocably determined to see that smugglers, their sponsors and collaborators were apprehended and brought to book.
Dimka described as appalling and absurd, the persistent scourge of smuggling in the country despite severe penalties against culprits involved.
He said, “We are painstaking doing our investigation and we will definitely get to the root of this cases and bring all involved to book while those in court will be compelled to answer for what they have done.”
He stated that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali Ibrahim (retd.), had zero tolerance for corruption and poised to ensure that maximum revenue was collected for the Federal Government.
He assured the NCS would continue to strengthen her collaboration with all sister agencies including the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy.
Dimka, however, implored well meaning Nigerians to spread the gospel of anti-smuggling and to always provide him with information bordering on smuggling for necessary action.
“This is a wake-up call, which requires all hands to be on deck to move the nation forward,” Dimka added.
