SEME BORDER: Customs records massive seizure of foreign rice, arrests 7 suspects

The Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded massive seizures of rice, sugar, vegetable oil, second-hand clothes, shoes and other items smuggled into the country illegally through Seme border, within just few weeks of operations.

The Command has also arrested seven suspects in connection with smuggling within Seme border communities.

Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, made the announcement, explaining that the arrest was made possible through information patrol and the use of intelligence in their anti-smuggling drive within Seme region.

The Customs warehouse at Seme was observed to be filled to the brim with seizures of rice and other items intercepted within a short period, even as seized vehicles used for means of conveyance in smuggling prohibited items were seen outside the warehouse.

READ ALSO: Abductors free Gov Masari’s 80-year-old mother in-law

Speaking on the strategies used in making the seizures within few weeks, the CAC said, “Our Enforcement Unit, headed by the Deputy Comptroller of Enforcement, DC Adhaunse, is working tirelessly to protect our economic environment at seme axis from influx of prohibited goods.”

He pointed out, “We are implementing the fiscal policies of the Federal Government. As such, we will seize any item that is banned and forfeit such item to government”.

Comptroller Uba explained, “In reality, the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA, gives Customs operatives the authority to patrol freely on land borders and Seme Command is not an exemption. So, we will continue to carry out our enforcement operations in accordance with the law”.

He also spoke on effectiveness of the Joint Border Post (JBP) at Seme for information sharing among security officers of both countries, revealing that another Joint border post for Nigeria and Cameroon is in progress in Cross River State.

He said, “The JBP is very effective in harmonisation of processes at the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic. It allows one entry, one exit and one control.

“The economic benefits include trade facilitation, integration, as well as information sharing among security agencies of Nigeria and Benin Republic”.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now