Nigeria Customs Service FOU ‘A’ intercepts 1,500 bulletproof jackets, 32 Tokunbo cars, others worth N3.6B in June.
Comptroller of the unit noted that the importation of any form of bulletproof items into the country requires an end-user certificate.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has announced the seizure of 1,500 pieces of bulletproof jackets, 32 units of used motor vehicles (Tokunbo) and other contraband items worth N3,636,594,600 (over N3.6 billion) within June 2024.
Comptroller of the unit, Kola Oladeji, made this known to newsmen at the Unit’s headquarters on Thursday, 19 July 2024, in Ikeja.
At the press briefing, Comptroller Oladeji noted that the importation of any form of bulletproof items into the country requires an end-user certificate.
“Under Schedule four (4) of the Customs Common External Tariff (CET), the importation of all kinds of military wares by individuals is under absolute prohibition. An End-User Certificate (EUC) is required to import controlled items and products into Nigeria.
Bulletproof jackets
“An EUC is an undertaking by a purchaser/importer that any of the controlled items/products would be for lawful use within Nigeria and must not be transferred or re-exported to any other entity or country prior written consent of the issuing authority, which is the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Oladeji explained.
Other items seized within June include 343,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50 kg each, 120 bags of sugar at 50 kilograms each and 3,560 cartons of poultry products.
Comptroller Oladeji noted that 4 suspects were arrested for various offences, including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives.
Furthermore, Comptroller Oladeji pointed out that the Unit recovered the sum of N62, 017,875.82 in revenue for June 2024 through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate Customs duties.
Comptroller Oladeji called on patriotic citizens to provide valuable and timely information that would lead to the arrest of illegal importers of military wares, illicit drugs and counterfeit goods.
He also urged importers and licensed agents to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their goods.
