The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Friday, announced the interception of 12,000 pieces of machetes and vutlasses imported into the country from China.
Speaking to journalists on the development, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt. Babatunde Olomu, also disclosed that the command intercepted 4,129 packages of expired frozen poultry products and expired pharmaceutical products from Turkiye, and India, respectively.
Olomu who said the seized items have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N292.2million, adding that the machetes and cutlasses were seized because the importer had no End-User Certificate (EUC) from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“As part of the Comptroller-General of Customs policy thrust of zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted seven containers that fall short of the import prohibition guidelines from entering the country.
“On Thursday, 17 July 2024, the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete; 2x40ft carrying 4,129 packages of frozen hen; 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used second hand clothing; and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical.
“The DPV of these seized items stood at N292.2million. It is pertinent to note that this type of importation is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violate section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”
Speaking on the frozen products, he said, “Two 40ft of Chicken from Turkiye was seized because the consumption is injurious to health. There are lots of indigenous poultry products and Nigeria that needed to be patronised and protected.
“Also, this particular one, it’s over one year they packaged this and it has expired. Govt banned poultry because of health hazard and to encourage local products,” Olomu stated.
Speaking further, the Customs boss said the command would hand over the seizures to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.
“These seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement in ensuring that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination.
“As a working principle, I have reiterated that this command will continually sustain and improve on trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of our extant laws as they pertain to false declaration, concealment, under declaration and under valuation.
“We are also enforcing the requirements for sister regulatory agencies like NAFDAC in the case of food and drugs and strict implementation of the end user certificate rules for products that require it from relevant authorities like the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the earlier warning given by the CGC on the smuggling of prohibited items and restate that this command will keep ensuring that only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance will be allowed to go through this port either as import or export cargoes. We are going to hand over these seizures to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.”