By Chidi Nkwopara
Federal Operations Unit, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Imo State Command, has in a renewed onslaught, impounded goods worth over N50 million, imported into the country under false declaration.

Vanguard gathered that no fewer than two persons are already cooling their heels in the cells of the NCS in connection with their alleged involvement in the importation of the prohibited goods into the country.

The goods which were loaded in 11 containers and carried in six long trucks, are made up of items such as furniture, toiletries, toothpicks, sanitary pads and other numerous household items.

Reviewing the seizure with newsmen, the officer in charge of the zone and Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Amade Abdul, explained that the importer of the seized items made false declarations to the Nigeria Customs.

“The importer of the goods made false declaration to the Customs by stating that the goods in question were personal effects, in order to cheat the nation,” Abdul said.

He added that most of  the items were no longer allowed into the country since they are now produced locally, adding that the NCS is vehemently opposed to such sharp practices and will continue to give tough time to those who trade on such businesses.

Mr. Abdul commended the officers who displayed patriotism that ultimately led to the confiscation of the goods, adding that the mood of the nation now demands combined efforts of all Nigerians.

“We have keyed into the Comptroller General directive that everybody must sit up to tackle the menace ember months smuggling. We are battle ready and our Comptroller General is solidly behind us. He has boosted our morale and has also given us all the backing that we need to make us active on the road and I think we are up to the task”, Abdul said.

He was particularly irked at the way Nigerians waste scarce foreign exchange for the importation of the unnecessary goods an vehemently resisted the temptation of disclosing the identities of those already in their net in connection with the seizure.

“It will not be proper to disclose the identities of those already arrested, so as not to hamper further investigation into the matter,” Abdul said.