Business
Customs Intercepts N1.4bn Contraband
The Federal Operations Unit (F.O.U.) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ikeja, has intercepted contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.34 billion and through interventions, recovered N59.50 million.
The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, made this known while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said that the seizures were made between May 16 and June 12.
According to him, the DPV of the seizures and interventions within the period under review accumulated to N1.40 billion.
The Tide source reports that the interventions were made from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to beat the system from seaports, airports and border stations in the guise of false declaration.
He said that 12 suspects were arrested in connection with the 112 seizures.
Uba said that the seizures were: 15 vehicles including three Toyota C-HR (2018 model); 1 Toyota Camry LE 2018; 1 Toyota Prado 2018; 1 Toyota Hilux 2017; 1 Ford F150 2017; 1 Pajero Jeep 2017; and 1 Mercedes Benz 2017, among others.
“Other seizures include 9,049 bags of foreign parboiled rice in 15 trailers; 1,464 cartons of frozen poultry products; 870 jerry cans of vegetable oil; 273 bales of used clothing; and 592 pieces of used tyres.
“A total of four containers have been seized for false declaration. Two of the containers were carrying 8,633 pieces of empty cylinders as against plumbing materials declared in their Single Goods Declaration (SGD) forms.
“The other two containers had 120 bales of new jeans as against punching machines declared in the SGD,’’ the controller said.
According to him, to ensure full implementation of the government policy banning the importation of rice through land borders and following headquarters’ directive, the command has re-strategised its operational modalities.
The controller said that the command had continued to beam its searchlight on the creeks, waterside and at various locations in Southwest zone, which led to the massive seizure of rice within the period under review.
Uba said that the unit would continue to ensure that smugglers within its areas of jurisdiction count their losses until they repent from sabotaging the economy.
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.