The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, announced the interception of 12,000 pieces of machetes and cutlasses imported into the country from China.
Speaking to journalists on the development, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt. Babatunde Olomu, also disclosed that the command intercepted 4,129 packages of expired frozen poultry products and expired pharmaceutical products from Turkiye and India, respectively.
Olomu said the seized items have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N292.2m, adding that the machetes and cutlasses were seized because the importer had no End-User Certificate (EUC) from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“As part of the Comptroller-General of Customs policy thrust of zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted seven containers that fall short of the import prohibition guidelines from entering the country.
Speaking on the frozen products, he said, “Two 40ft of Chicken from Turkiye was seized because the consumption is injurious to health. There are lots of indigenous poultry products and Nigeria that need to be patronised and protected.
“Also, this particular one, it’s over one year they packaged this and it has expired. Govt banned poultry because of health hazards and to encourage local products,” Olomu stated.
Speaking further, the Customs boss said the command would hand over the seizures to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.
“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the warning given by the CGC on the smuggling of prohibited items and restate that this command will keep ensuring that only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance will be allowed to go through this port either as import or export cargoes’’
