Connect with us

Business

Customs Intercepts 20 Drums Of IEDs

Published

on

Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, zone “A” of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos has intercepted about 20 drums of carbide, a chemical substance used in manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Disclosing this to newsmen in Ikeja, Lagos, Acting Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, said the chemicals were hidden under a truck that was intercepted in Ijebu Ode area of Ogun State.
He said the unit also made seizures worth over N579.412 million in August 2022, and arrested a total of ten suspects in connection with some of the seizures.
On the seized 20 drums of carbide, he said: ”It is instructive to emphasise that such importation raises concerns of national security.
“This is because it is a chemical used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and could cause danger to life and property.
“Allowing things like this chemical into the society uncontrollably could create serious security challenge for the country.
“Carbide is flammable, reactive and can cause explosion hazards when mixed with other chemicals and exposed to water or moisture.
“It forms flammable acetylene gas that could be used to endanger lives by lawless persons. This is aside other health hazards: the chemical on exposure can irritate the mouth, nose and throat if not properly handled; inhaling Calcium Carbide can irritate the lungs.
He disclosed that such importation requires approval of the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) where an End User Certificate (EUC) ought to have been issued to authorise such Importation.
He stated further that higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs and could lead to emergency medical situation.
“Its importation is, therefore, strictly controlled from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
“Other seizures made last month from smugglers and importers who falsely declared their consignments include 1 x 40ft containing flavour seasoning, falsely declared as auto spare parts; and 1 x 40ft containing auto interior accessories, falsely declared as filters/pneumatic transmission.
It also include, “1 X 40ft containing vegetable oil and foreign parboiled rice, falsely declared as used vehicles; 1 x 20ft containing 21 pallets of tiles, falsely declared as PVC floor tiles/floor bricks; 1 x 20ft containing Padi Bitters, falsely declared as olive nuts;1 x 20ft containing unprocessed wood, falsely declared as aluminum ingots; and 1 x 20ft containing bales of used clothes and shoes, with a used fake seal/Dangote Truck.
“Other seizures include 5,593 (50kg) bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to 9 trailers truck load; 56,725 litres of premium motor spirit ; 375 bales of used clothes; 242 parcels of Indian Hemp; and 41 pieces of military camouflage bags”.
He concluded that in “efforts to prevent loss of government revenue to duty underpayments, undervaluation of imported items and wrong harmonised system (HS) code classification, we recovered a total N46.298 million”.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Continue Reading

Business

Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

Published

on

Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

Continue Reading

Business

NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

Published

on

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
Continue Reading

Business

FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

Published

on

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
Continue Reading

Trending