Customs Seeks Collaboration of Stakeholders to Curb Smuggling of Vehicles
By Muhammad Bashir
AREWA AGENDA – The Nigeria Customs Service has on Thursday 8th June 2023 urged stakeholders to synergise with officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service to effectively suppress the menace of smuggling vehicles into Nigeria.
Deputy Comptroller of Customs Jack Okpabi, who is the Coordinator of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Headquarters, made the appeal while briefing newsmen on his team’s quarterly achievements at Karu Government Warehouse, Abuja.
“Basically, this press briefing we do quarterly to enlighten the public about the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service and this is the second quarter.” He said.
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DC Okpabi applauded some stakeholders for sustaining the alliance with NCS in the area of subduing smuggling in Nigeria. On the other hand, he expressed dismay over the determination of some unscrupulous elements to smuggle vehicles and those that patronize such vehicles.
“It is on this note, I want to emphasize that the Service will not hesitate to bring to book any offender caught smuggling vehicles into Nigeria, and they will be charged with smuggling offences even if they’re customs officers. This matter is decisive to us – and will not be taken lightly.” DC Okpabi said.
According to him, the law does not favour any private, government-owned institution including the Nigeria Customs Service or individual to import vehicles without payment of Customs Duty. He argued that the recent operation which led to the interception of over a hundred Toyota Hilux, Toyota Landcruiser and other models of exotic vehicles has saved the country from losing huge revenue that would have gone down the drain.
“You can see that we have over 100 vehicles and 38 have been forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The operation will lead to the recovery of over N400m from demand notices”. He concluded.
