{"id":145668,"date":"2025-03-27T17:11:20","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T16:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepublicpulse.ng\/?p=145668"},"modified":"2025-03-27T19:32:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T18:32:42","slug":"customs-rice-smuggling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepublicpulse.ng\/?p=145668","title":{"rendered":"Customs seizes 3,832 bags of contraband rice in one month – Official"},"content":{"rendered":"

Customs seizes 3,832 bags of contraband rice in one month – Official<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In a renewed crackdown on smuggling activities, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband worth N1.72 billion within the past month, reinforcing its commitment to securing Nigeria\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n

Addressing journalists in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of FOU Zone A, Kola Oladeji, disclosed that the seizures included 3,832 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice\u2014equivalent to seven truckloads\u2014alongside 27 units of used (Tokunbo) vehicles.<\/p>\n

Other confiscated items included 494 jerrycans of petrol (totalling 14,820 litres), 27 bales of used clothing, 95 bags of charcoal, and a staggering 3,643kg of Cannabis Sativa. Additionally, six individuals were arrested in connection with these illicit trade activities.<\/p>\n

Mr. Oladeji emphasized that the success was a result of intensified surveillance operations across the South-Western states, targeting economic saboteurs who exploit Nigeria\u2019s trade routes for illegal activities.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThese seizures are part of our wider effort to enforce the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and ensure compliance with import and export regulations,\u201d he stated.7<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

During the period under review, the unit recorded 82 interceptions, highlighting its increased vigilance in combating smuggling. Oladeji acknowledged the dedication of customs officers, noting that their long hours of patrol and intelligence-led operations played a crucial role in securing these results.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe remain steadfast in our mission to curb illegal cross-border trade and its associated economic threats. Public engagement and awareness campaigns will also continue to educate citizens on the dangers of smuggling,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Beyond enforcement, the unit also boosted government revenue by generating N72.4 million from debit notes issued to importers who underpaid duties at seaports. This is part of broader trade facilitation measures introduced by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi to streamline customs procedures and enhance revenue collection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe introduction of initiatives like the Time Release Study (TRS), Advance Ruling, and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) scheme has improved trade efficiency and investor confidence,\u201d Oladeji noted.<\/p>\n

With an unwavering commitment to national security and economic stability, the Nigeria Customs Service continues to tighten its grip on illicit trade, ensuring compliance with government policies and protecting local industries from unfair competition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Customs seizes 3,832 bags of contraband rice in one month – Official In a renewed crackdown on smuggling activities, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband worth N1.72 billion within the past month, reinforcing its commitment to securing Nigeria\u2019s borders. Addressing journalists in Lagos, the Customs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":145680,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,2,18],"tags":[1067,1066,779,780],"class_list":{"0":"post-145668","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-economy","8":"category-featured","9":"category-news","10":"tag-contraband","11":"tag-custom","12":"tag-rice","13":"tag-vehicles"},"yoast_head":"\nCustoms seizes 3,832 bags of contraband rice in one month - Official - The Public Pulse<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These seizures are part of our wider effort to enforce the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and ensure compliance with import and export\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thepublicpulse.ng\/?p=145668\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Customs seizes 3,832 bags of contraband rice in one month - Official - The Public Pulse\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"These seizures are part of our wider effort to enforce the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and ensure compliance with import and export\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thepublicpulse.ng\/?p=145668\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Public Pulse\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-27T16:11:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-27T18:32:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/thepublicpulse.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Nigeria-Custom-Service-logo.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"860\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"531\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Njoku G. 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