Customs Seizes 708 Million Worth Of Goods In South West

In a campaign to get rid of warehouses and markets across the South-West where smuggled foreign rice and contrabands are kept in the country, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Strike Force has seized 1,930 bags of 50kg smuggled rice evacuated from various warehouses in Lagos and Ogun states.

Also, 1,227 rolls of chiffon textiles materials, 18 pallets of perfumes, cosmetics and bags, 2,064 cartons of electric bulbs as well as 1,810 cartons of alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines were seized and will be forfeited to the Federal Government.

READ ALSO: Customs Intercept Weapons Hidden In Bags Of Rice In Kebbi

“We have various degrees of infractions on cargoes that were seized. Cargoes such as perfumes, non-alcoholic wines, electric bulbs, footwears, bags and shoes that were falsely declared as machinery and washing machines," he said.

“Perfumes, non-alcoholic wines, electric bulbs, textiles are dutiable but foreign footwears, bags are banned because we have factories investing heavily and employing Nigerians to produce so, we must encourage them to do more and must not discourage them through the importation of those items into the country.”

Shuaibu further stated that the falsely declared cargoes have been seized out-rightly and will be forfeited to the government.

“Chiffon materials brought in as sealing machines when we have textiles companies all around the country closing down but, we will plead for genuine declaration and patriotism though, it was dutiable but because it was falsely declared, it remained seized.”

Mr Shuaibu said the campaign was aimed at boosting local production of rice in the country and the unit generated N708millon in the last two weeks.