The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’, says it seized smuggled pharmaceutical products and other items, with Duty Paid Value of N278 million, last month.
This was revealed by the Comptroller in charge of the zone, Mr. Al-Bashir Hamisu, during a media briefing in Kaduna state.
The clampdown on smuggled items is part of the recent administration’s drive in protecting local infant industries, saving jobs and reducing overreliance on imported items. Recall that the present administration has not hidden its ambition of developing the local economy and pursuing an import substitution strategy that will see the country produce some of the items it used to import.
Speaking at the media briefing, Mr. Hamisu gave a breakdown of the items that were seized. According to him; 371 packs and bottles of pharmaceutical products, 250 parcels of Cannabis (Indian Hemp), 727 cartons of foreign spaghetti and macaroni, 493 bags of foreign parboiled rice, and 287 cartons of foreign tea were seized during the period under review.
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Others include; 147 bales of foreign second-hand clothing, 105 cartons of foreign Eva soap, vegetable oil, sweets, and candies, as well as fairly used vehicles, among others.
In conclusion, he solicited the cooperation of Nigerians in tackling the menace of smuggling in the country. In his view, the government cannot be everywhere at the same time, nevertheless, if the people in the vicinity decided to partner with the government to end this, the burden will be lighter on government agencies and the goal will be easily achievable.
Hamisu ended his speech by reiterating his commitment to ensuring that his unit clamps down on all illegal items smuggled into the country.
