Again, Customs Intercepts 12,000 Pieces Of China Made  Cutlasses, Others Worth N292 Million

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The frivolous nature of some of the importations in the country came into focus on Friday, July 19, 2024.

This followed the display of seized  imported 12,000 pieces of machetes and cutlasses, expired pharmaceutical products and frozen chicken by the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS.

The seized items with a street value of over N292 million, were laden in seven containers.

The interception was done on Thursday July 18, 2024, according to the Comptroller of the Apapa Port Command of the NCS, Babatunde Olomu.

While parading the seized contraband items, Olomu noted that the products imported are clearly against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff CET, and equally violets section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Act of 2023.

“On Thursday, July 17, 2024, the Command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes ,2x40ft container carrying 4,129 packages of frozen chicken, 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used clothing and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical products “the Comptroller stated.

According to him, the cutlasses and machetes were imported from China, while the expired pharmaceutical drugs and frozen chicken came in from India and Turkey respectively.

The feat was achieved with the assistance of actionable intelligence, as well as the uncompromising posture of Customs operatives towards a one hundred percent examination of consignments before leaving the port and or terminal.

Comptroller Olomu vowed that  the Command will not relent in its resolve to enforce all extant rules governing declaration of consignments, concealment, under declaration and under valuation of goods, while at the same improving its drive for maximum revenue collection and trade facilitation.

The Apapa Port Area Comptroller of NCS warned that the Command will continue to wage a sustained war against smuggling and other unwholesome activities.

In doing this,Olomu said the NCS operatives are also enforcing the rules ,of other security agencies, including NAFDAC.

Only genuine transactions, will be allowed to pass through the Apapa Port, the Comptroller noted.