A total of 150 cartons of bulletproof jackets worth ₦1.687 billion, have been intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Ikeja.
Speaking to the press in Ikeja on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the unit, Kola Oladeji, disclosed that these contraband items were seized along the Ijebuode-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.
Oladeji detailed that each carton contained 10 packs of bulletproof jackets, which were confiscated in June.
He noted that under Schedule 4 of the Customs Common External Tariff, the importation of all types of military wares by individuals is strictly prohibited.
“An end-user certificate is required for the importation of controlled items and products into Nigeria, and it must be obtained from the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Oladeji explained.
He emphasized that the unit is actively pursuing the importers of these illegal goods through credible intelligence.
“These seizures are significant as they represent a serious security breach. No end-user certificate was presented. The certificate must be obtained before importation; failure to do so results in arrest upon arrival,” he stated.
Additionally, the CAC reported the seizure of substantial quantities of cannabis sativa and expired drugs during the review period.
“Our dedicated officers intercepted 989 kilograms of cannabis sativa and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs,” Oladeji said.
He mentioned that these interceptions occurred at various times and locations within the South-Western states.
“Other items seized include 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit, 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 32 units of used vehicles, 120 bags of sugar, and 3,560 cartons of poultry products,” the CAC added.
Four suspects were arrested in connection with various offenses, including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, misclassification, smuggling, and breaching policy directives.
Oladeji disclosed that the cumulative duty paid value of the intercepted goods amounts to ₦3.6 billion.
He also highlighted that the unit recovered ₦62 million as revenue in June 2024 through documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices for consignments that had paid lesser amounts than the appropriate duties.
The CAC urged Nigerians to provide the NCS with timely and useful information that could lead to the arrest of those involved in the illegal importation of military wares, illicit drugs, and counterfeit goods.
“Importers and licensed agents are also urged to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their goods,” he concluded.
