The Nigerian Customs Service, Kebbi State Command, has intercepted about 2,375 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit popularly called petrol loaded in jerricans as well as a used BMW vehicle in the month of November.
During the month under review, the command also intercepted smuggled 303 bales and 94 sacks of second-hand clothing, and 58 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each; among others with a duty paid value of 46,706,795.00.
This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joseph Attah, on Thursday while showcasing the seized items by the Command in the last month. He also confirmed that the command under his watch make over N127 million in revenue within the same period.
Giving a breakdown of its activities, Attah said that the command generated N127,839,390.75 as revenue from mostly import of goods into the country through the Kamba border.
Decrying the observed increase in the smuggling of second-hand clothes, Attah gave assurance that his officers are ever ready to scuttle the smugglers’ activities as the command was well equipped with all the necessary logistics to strike at any time.
“From the record at our disposal, there is an increase in the smuggling of second-hand clothes in the last two months. You may recall that 139 bales were also seized in October.
“The smugglers cash in on the people’s demand for thick clothes such as cardigans in this harmattan season to smuggle these used clothes, not minding the health implication to the end use.
“We don’t know where the items came from or the last users of the clothes, their health status and so on.
“For the avoidance of doubt, second-hand clothing falls under Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026, importation of which is absolutely prohibited on health grounds.”
Attah said its smuggling contravenes Section 46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C. 45 LFN, 2004 (as amended).
“It is our responsibility to ensure that no item that could negatively affect our people is allowed entry. We are determined to do just that,” he said.
