The Eastern Marine Command of the Nigerian Customs Service has dealt smugglers a costly blow, intercepting contraband goods worth a staggering Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N172 million within three months.
Unveiling the seizures at a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, the Area Comptroller, Anderson Jaja, said the command’s dragnet had been wide and relentless.
He reeled out the confiscated items to include 62 bales of used second-hand clothing valued at N16.8 million, 190 used tyres with a DPV of N15 million, as well as soaps, detergents, creams, wines, juices, beverages and a bicycle collectively valued at N69 million.
According to him, the haul also featured bags of used shoes, scrap metals, wire mesh, chemicals and other sundry items with a combined DPV of N14 million.
Jaja further disclosed that batteries, drums and water tanks valued at N45.9 million were seized, alongside two flying boats with a DPV of N8.5 million. Also recovered were 21 AK47 magazines, two pistol magazines and 49 arms accessories, valued at N868,244.
Warning that such illicit goods are a poison chalice for the economy, the comptroller vowed that smuggling would find no hiding place under his leadership.
He drew a red line against illegal trade, stressing that offenders would be denied any breathing space to operate.
“We are here to highlight our anti-smuggling achievements over the past three months and to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to securing the Nigeria’s eastern marine corridor.
“As we speak under my leadership, the eastern marine command has implemented proactive strategies that have successfully suppressed smuggling within the axis.
“The effectiveness of these measures is reflected in the seizures we just showcased, and these ranged from used clothes to tyres, pharmaceuticals, scrap metals, consumables beverages, wines among others,” he said.
Jaja reaffirmed that the command remains firmly on guard over Nigeria’s eastern marine corridor, which spans Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, insisting that the waters would remain hostile territory for smugglers.
