By Ola Ajayi
Ibadan—The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it had intercepted contraband worth N55.661 million in October.

File: Rice-Smugglers intercepted by Customs

The Customs Area Comptroller, David Chikan, made the disclosure at a media briefing in Ibadan yesterday.

Chikan said the seized items included 14 used vehicles with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N25.7 million and 1,440 bags of rice with DPV of N19.38 million.

The comptroller said the command also intercepted 800 pieces of used tyres with DPV of N6.66 million, while the DPV for seized second-hand clothes amounted to N4.06 million.

He said that the seized vehicles were used to conceal the contraband which included second-hand clothes, foreign rice, used tyres and others.

Chikan said most of the seizures were made along Oyo/Ibadan road, while the used vehicles were intercepted on Saki axis in Oke-Ogun through a synergy with the Headquarters Compliance Team and Customs Intelligence Unit.

He said three suspects were arrested and are under investigations, noting: “The overall duty paid value of all arrested items is N55.661 million.

“In keeping faith with this noble promise, the Oyo/Osun Area Command had initiated new anti-smuggling strategies which led to remarkable exploits as evidenced in the arrest made.

“The seized vehicles were used to conceal prohibited items, notably second hand clothings, foreign rice and other contraband goods.

“Let me use this forum to reiterate the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to go the extra miles in botching the unholy strategies of smugglers.

“Smugglers have nothing else, but to cause havoc to the national economy.

“In the same, genuine and compliant traders will be given all the cooperation and support that they may need,” he said.