Customs
Customs reveals full contents of intercepted gun-laden container at port.
Eyewitness reporter
The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has revealed the full contents of the illicit 40-feet container intercepted at one of the terminals at the port.
It would be recalled that on Friday 17th December 2021, the operatives of Customs had stumbled on the container suspected to be carrying uncustomed goods with specific suspicion of containing pistols and some rounds of ammunition.
However the result of the initial examination was inconclusive as the exercise was terminated on the discovery of a firearm. A more thorough search of the container was ordered to uncover other arms and ammunition, if any.
However, a joint examination of the intercepted illicit import has further revealed the contents of the container.
According to the statement by the Public Relations officer of Tin Can Customs, Mr Uche Ejesieme, on Tuesday, December, 21st, 2021,four used Toyota vehicles, 53 Television sets, pistol, ammunition, and other sundary items were found after physical examination with the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria(son), the bomb disposal unit of the police and others.
Ejesieme said that the swift action from the command also led to the apprehension of a suspect who was kept in detention at the customs facility.
He added that a thorough investigation would lead the command to the masterminds of this illicit import for proper sanction.
“The media and the public will recall that on December 17, at exactly 16:30hrs, our operatives stumbled on a container suspected to be carrying uncustomed goods with specific suspicion of it being pistols and some rounds of ammunition.
“Earlier, we had stated that the nature of the suspected offending items and quantity was unknown since the container was immediately welded back on the instruction of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Musa.
“The container was transferred to the Customs Enforcement unit pending joint examination,” he said.
He pointed out that on December 20, a joint physical examination was conducted which comprised the DSS, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, police, others.
“The physical examination revealed: four used Toyota vehicles viz: 2005 Lexus Rx 330, 2009 Toyota Sienna and two units of 2009 Toyota Camry as well as undeclared 53 pcs of new 55″ LG Televisions and other goods.
“However, one unit of Smith and Wesson pistol of model SW40V OF 40SW CALIBRE, two packs of 50pcs each of 9mm live ammunition totalling 100pcs, were found concealed inside one of bags containing used clothes.
“Others concealed in the bag containing used clothes are one empty (expended) shell of 9mm ammunition and eight packs of 25 pcs each of 70mm (totalling 200pcs) and two empty pistol magazines,” he said.
Ejesieme noted that the importation of pistol and live ammunition was on schedule 4 part 1(absolute prohibitions).
He said that it was a clear contravention of sections 46, 47 and 161 of the Customs & Excise Management Act Cap c45 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 as amended
Customs
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Customs
Maiwada, Customs’ chief spokesman, receives diadem over his public relations prowess
The Eyewitness Reporter
The National Public Relations of the Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Spokesperson of the Year’ Award by Spokesperson’s Digest, a division of Image Merchant Public Relations.
The event, held in Abuja and attended by distinguished personalities, showcased Maiwada’s exceptional public relations contributions and unwavering commitment to the Nigeria Customs Service.
In an exclusive post-award speech, Maiwada shared insights into the driving forces behind his success.
“This accolade not only acknowledges my dedication but also inspires me to elevate my contributions further.
” My motivation comes from a deep passion for my work and the unwavering support of my dedicated team,” he stated emphatically.
Known for his dynamic leadership style, Maiwada attributed the success to the collaborative efforts of his staff.
He added, “Today’s recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of my team, serving as a motivating force to strive for excellence.”
Beyond the immediate team, Maiwada expressed gratitude for the motivational guidance he receives from the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management Team.
“He highlighted his belief in extracting the best from his work, adding, “I believe in getting the best out of my work, and this passion, combined with the support of my team and the guidance from my elders, has been the driving force behind my success.”
The National PRO, recognized not just for his professional acumen but also for his commitment to mentorship, urged organizers to continue appreciating the dedication and enthusiasm of media practitioners and agencies.
He emphasized the need to sustain a culture of recognition for those making significant contributions in their respective fields.
In his closing remarks, Maiwada extended heartfelt appreciation to the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Headquarters Adeogun Alajogun, who represented the CGC at the event for his unwavering support, acknowledging his pivotal role in his accomplishments as the direct supervisor of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit.
The ceremony not only celebrated an individual’s achievement but also highlighted the collaborative spirit and dedication within the Nigeria Customs Service, reinforcing their commitment to excellence in public relations.
Customs
Customs promises to mitigate impact of increase in duty exchange rate through trade facilitation
The latest duty exchange rate has since been reflected on the Customs portal.
Before the latest increase, the exchange rate for customs duty in June was N420 per dollar before it was jerked up to N775 per dollar in July.
Shortly after that, it jumped to N778 per dollar before the latest increase to N951.941 per dollar.
However, the customs has explained that it would ensure that there is a minimum delay in the customs process in order to ensure customs agents take delivery of their cargo without incurring demurrage.
Explaining the position of the customs on the increase yesterday, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, the Tin Can Customs Area controller, said there was little the customs could do over the fiscal and monetary policies which he said are within the purview of the federal government while the customs merely implements them.
Nnadi, however, promised that the customs, especially his command, Tin Can Island Port, would try to optimise its service delivery by facilitating trade to minimize the anticipated delays and resultant demurrage in order to mitigate the effects of the sudden increase.
“We are all affected, including the customs officers, by the increase.
“There is no separate supermarket where they sell customs bread”
” We as Nigeria Customs officers, just like other Nigerians, woke up this morning( Yesterday, December 7th) to find out that the exchange rate, which is the yardstick for the collection of customs duty, has been jerked up.
” Before June/ July, it was 420 per dollar, by July, it jumped to N775 to dollars, shortly after, it jumped to N778 to a dollar and this morning (yesterday, December 7th), it was increased to N951.941per dollar.
” We understand the implication of this on trade, bearing in mind letters of credit have been opened, contracts have been signed, supplies have been made, and people have negotiated business transactions based on the previous exchange rate.
” And we recognize the import of this exchange rate on trade.
” We recognize what the Nigeria business community is going through but there is little we can do as customs service about the fiscal and monetary policies.
” Our role is to implement them, we do not make these policies and we align ourselves with government decisions.
” Every decision taken by government is for the collective interest of the nation and we expect that we must all abide by it.
” As Customs, what we can do to mitigate the impact of what the trading public is going to go through in the next few days because of the increase in the exchange rate is to optimise our service delivery where there are expected delays in customs process to make up for this sudden increase.
“We will try to facilitate trade so that whatever little money you would have paid on demurrage, you can now use it to make up for this sudden increase and that is what I can manage.
“We do this because if the agents go back to their importers and ask them to raise additional funds to augment the one they have paid because of the sudden increase, the importers may find it difficult to raise the money and there will be delay and the attendant demurrage.
” So what we can do as customs service, is to minimize these expected delays through facilitation of trade.
” The Nigeria Customs Service cannot manage the other aspect of price increase because that is the function of federal government directive” Comptroller Nnadi explained in a very comprehensive manner to exonerate the customs service from these sudden increases in the exchange rates.
He however believed that most of the trade activities in Nigeria are being heavily subsidized by the government which makes citizens of the neighbouring countries cross the borders to Nigeria to buy goods in Nigeria.
” But I am by no means justifying the incessant and sudden increments in tariff.
” But Nigerians must be patriotic enough to obey government policies when they are issued because every government policy is issued in the best interest of the people” the Customs chief sermonises.
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