Customs seize N508m smuggled vehicles, contraband

The Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contrabands worth the sum of N508,615,042 within the last two months.
The state NCS Comptroller, Sani Madugu, disclosed this in Abeokuta, while briefing journalists on the seizure of nine smuggled vehicles, 50 bags of rice and eight bales of second-hand clothing estimated at N44,199,000.
Madugu said the vehicles, including five exotic cars, were recovered within the last one week in Abeokuta axis.
The comptroller added that one Scania container truck was also seized in the early hours of Tuesday conveying contrabands along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
According to him, the smugglers concealed one mini bus, bags of rice and second hand clothes with duty paid value of N5,160,000 in the truck, using coconuts neatly packed in sacks.
He, however, revealed that the driver of the truck escaped from the scene, leaving behind his vehicle and the unlawful items after being interception by Customs operatives.
Madugu stated that the anti-smuggling efforts of the command in September led to the seizure of items valued at N87,160,224.
Madugu said: "These goods include 1,206 bags of 50kg rice, 24 units of vehicles, 19 motorcycles, 58 kegs of 25 litres vegetable oil, 3,180 cartons of frozen poultry products, three bales of secondhand clothing, 21 bags of 50kg imported sugar, 300 pieces of secondhand footwear and cannabis sativa.”
The comptroller pointed out that the seizures increased in October, with contrabands valued at N377,255,818 recovered by his men.
He restated the commitment of the command towards combating the menace of smuggling across the state.
He said the Federal Government had improved on welfare of Customs personnel, adding that they were now more determined to perform their duties without fear or favour.
Madugu stressed that through motivation and enhanced welfare package, the officers and men are poised to block all illegal routes being used by smugglers in the state.