By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
THE Zone ‘B’ Kaduna of the Federal Operations Unit(FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has intercepted and seized 714 (25 litres) jerricans of vegetable oil worth over N9 million according to its Comptroller, Usman Dakingari.The zone comprise of 10 states under three commands and the FCT.
The states are: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara; Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa; Niger, Kwara, Kogi and the FCT.
Dakingari who confirmed the seizures in Sokoto Thursday eveing at the Area Command of the service during an inspection to ascertain the items said the unit intercepted the items which were smuggled in from Niger at Illela.
According to him” retail in vegetable oil has been banned.”
He said other items which values could not be ascertained included Sugar, Hard drugs(Tramadol) in sacks, rice, bales of second hand clothes among others.
” We will take our time to properly check the drugs and other related items before they will be handed to NAFDAC for thorough investigation”, he said.
Dakingari said the unit cannot immediately quantify the total duty value of the various seizures made.He however, described the tactics used by those carrying out illicit trade in drugs and other contraband as a sharp and clear departure from the conventional rice smuggling.
The customs Comptroller said the unit has re-strategised its operations approach to strengthen a renewed onslaught against smuggling activities.
” That is why the service is upto it’s responsibilities to all of its personnel in the aspects of prompt and regular payments of salaries, allowance and other welfare and incentive packages to boost their morale.”
He explained that FOU consistently rely on useful and credible information and tips” these culminate in our remarkable break-through.”
While describing 2018 year of operations of the unit as a good omen with success story of seizures noted that the service could do better in its drive to ensure smuggling activities were nipped in the boot
