Customs displays seized vehicles, vow to uncover smuggling routes in Niger, Kogi.
The Niger/ Kogi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service,has warned that no smuggler would be spared no matter how highly placed he is in the society.
The Controller Busayo Oluwagbenga Kadejo, while briefing Newsmen on seizures made by the Command on Tuesday,threatened to arrests the suspects and cripple their operations should they refuse to give up their criminal activities.
The Command Comptroller also gave a financial scorecard of his stedwardship in 2023 with a warning to smugglers to desist from the act or face full wrath of the law.
“I wish to warn smugglers and other criminally minded elements that we will not spare them no matter how highly placed they are in the society”.
“This is a stern warning to smugglers that we will always discover all their illegal routes and ways used in smuggling, make sizesures, effect arrest and cripple their operations,” he said.
Controller Busayo who said his Command has no Seaport, Airport, Bonded Terminal and Excisable Factory, noted that the only Border domiciled in the Command at Babanna remains closed.
“In the area of anti-smuggling, during the period under review the Command recorded seizures and detention including eight unit exotic cars and other vehicles of different make.
“35 jerry-cans of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, 25 litres each. They are already autioned due to its inflammatory nature,” he said.
The Comptroller revealed that the cumulative Duty Paid Value of all the seized items in the month of December 2023 amounted to N194.7 million.
He also disclosed that the Command also recovered N12.6 million from Demand Notices and N 206.3 million made from Duty Paid Value on 65 seizures as well as N77.2 million from Demand Notices.
Busayo called on the general public to always assist the Command with credible information and appreciated the sister agencies for the synergy they received in the year under review.