The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, on Wednesday said it had impounded 3,200 bags of rice, 1,000 cartons of frozen poultry products, 25 kegs of vegetable oil and 57 bales of second-hand clothing worth N54.4million.
The command’s spokesperson, Mr Taupuyen Selchang, disclosed this in a statement which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry, Lagos State.
The statement revealed that the Controller of the command, Compt. Mohammed Aliyu, said that the command had intensified and renewed its anti smuggling efforts.
“We have recently engaged in renewed efforts against smuggling activities by tightening the land border and all illegal routes, to ensure that our mandate is vigorously pursued.
“The economic activities at the border have become low-keyed, to curb smuggling, prevent revenue leakages and boost revenue generation for the Federal Government.
“A total of 3,200 bags of rice, 1,000 cartons of frozen poultry products, 25 kegs of vegetable oil and 57 bales of second-hand clothing worth N54.465 million were recently impounded and the poultry products have been destroyed, in accordance with the law.
“Our officers must maintain this tempo in combating smuggling activities across the frontier,’’ he said.
The controller urged the public to give intelligence to the command, in order to enable the NCS to effectively curb smuggling.
“Smuggling is dangerous to the economy, so in curbing it, we need the help of the public because stemming smuggling is a team effort.
“The public should, therefore, share intelligence with the command, as this would help in safeguarding the borders and improving the national economy,’’ he added. (NAN)