As it raises tempo on the fight against insecurity in Nigeria from the country’s seaports, airports and land borders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again intercepted and seized 12,000 pieces of machetes and cutlasses laden in seven containers at Apapa Port in Lagos today.
While the importations may be considered as farm implements, they also pose a security threat and were imported from China without the required documents from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Area Controller of the Apapa Port Command of NCS, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu while briefing journalists on the seizures on Friday said, the command also intercepted 4,129 packages of expired frozen poultry products and expired pharmaceutical products from Turkiye, and India, respectively.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu briefing newsmen on the seizures at Apapa Port, on Friday
According to the Customs helmsman, the seized consignments have a duty paid value (DPV) of N292.2 million. He clearly stated that the machetes and cutlasses were seized because the importer had no End-User Certificate (EUC) from the ONSA.
He said: “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 N292.2 million.
“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.”
Stack of the machetes and cutlasses in one of the containers.
The Controller said two 40ft containers laden with Chicken and imported from Turkiye were seized because the consumption is injurious to health, noting that there are lots of indigenous poultry products to be patronized instead of unhealthy imported chicken.
He continued: “Also, this particular one, it’s over one year they packaged this and it has expired. The government banned poultry because of health hazard and to encourage local products.
“We are going to 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.
A container of expired drugs seized in Apapa Port on Friday
“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.”
