The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 21 units of smuggled used vehicles in Lagos as part of intensified operations to curb vehicle smuggling and other forms of illicit trade across its area of responsibility.
Gambo Aliyu, comptroller of the unit, disclosed this during his inaugural press briefing in Ikeja on Tuesday, noting that the seizures were recorded through intelligence-driven enforcement strategies adopted by the command in recent weeks.
Aliyu explained that the seized vehicles were part of 144 smuggling attempts intercepted by the Unit, involving various prohibited and uncustomed goods with a cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of over N3.3 billion.
He stated that the vehicles were smuggled into the country without proper documentation, thereby violating existing customs laws and government fiscal policies.
“Vehicle smuggling continues to undermine government revenue, distort the automobile market and pose security risks,” Aliyu said, stressing that the Unit remains resolute in dismantling syndicates involved in the illegal importation of vehicles through land borders and unauthorised routes.
He noted that the interception of the vehicles was complemented by the seizure of other contraband items, including foreign parboiled rice, sugar, used clothing, premium motor spirit (PMS), vegetable oil, and a container of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets, all smuggled into the country in defiance of customs regulations.
(Business Day)
