Nigerian Customs seizes bulletproof jackets, drugs worth N3.6 billion in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Ikeja, has seized contraband worth N3.6 billion, including 150 cartons of bulletproof jackets worth N1.687 billion.

Speaking to journalists in Ikeja on Thursday, Kola Oladeji, the Customs Zone Controller for the unit, disclosed that the seizure was made along the Ijebu Ode-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State. Each carton contained 10 packs of bulletproof jackets, which were seized in June.

Oladeji stressed that the import of military equipment such as flak jackets by individuals is strictly prohibited under Schedule 4 of the General External Tariff of Customs. He noted that an end-user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser is mandatory for such imports.

“This arrest is unique because it is a security breach, there is no end-user certificate,” Oladeji said, highlighting the seriousness of the breach.

The Customs Area Controller also revealed other illegal goods were seized during the same period, including 989 kilograms of cannabis sativa and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs at various locations in the South West State.

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In addition, the unit also confiscated 343,750 liters of premium alcoholic beverages, 7,150 sacks of foreign parboiled rice, 32 used vehicles, 120 sacks of sugar, and 3,560 cartons of poultry products.

Oladeji reported that four suspects were arrested in connection with various violations related to import/export guidelines, concealment, misclassification, smuggling and violation of policy directives.

He stressed that the cumulative value of import duties paid on seized goods amounted to N3.6 billion. Furthermore, the unit recovered revenue of N62 million for the month of June 2024 through inspection of documents and demand notices issued on underpaid consignments.

Oladeji called on Nigerians to provide timely and useful information to help arrest those involved in illegal importation activities involving military equipment, drugs and counterfeit goods. He also urged licensed importers and agents to adhere to import and export guidelines to avoid loss of their goods.

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