Nigeria Customs impound rice, used clothing, others worth N22.8 billion in Apapa in 2023: Official

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, said it made 54 seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N22.8 billion in 2023.

The customs area controller of the command, Babajide Jaiyeoba, said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

CSC Abubakar Usman, the command’s public relations officer, signed the statement.

Mr Jaiyeoba said the seizures include prohibited goods, foreign parboiled rice and vegetable oil, among others.

“These seizures were made due to infractic import/export prohibition lists, false declarations and others.

“A breakdown of the seizures comprises prohibited goods such as used clothing, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, tomato paste and others,” he said.

Mr Jaiyeoba warned smugglers and traders to desist from illegality, describing Apapa Port as a no-go area for such acts.

He said any attempt to test their resolve would be met with seizures of their wares, arrest and prosecution of suspects in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Mr Jaiyeoba said he would continue to ensure stronger collaboration with sister government agencies, such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, the police, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and the State Security Service.

According to him, the command operates an open-door policy, where they meet regularly with stakeholders to address matters of common interest.

Mr Jaiyeoba said dispute resolution, query and amendment seats had been made more active to address the needs and legitimate demands of port users.

He also urged compliant traders to keep up their good deeds while urging others to emulate the virtue of honesty, noting that integrity was critical to achieving 48-hour cargo clearance.

He appreciated the comptroller-general of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team for the enabling environment to discharge duties effectively.

(NAN)