Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted a Toyota Highlander concealing suspected bags of foreign parboiled rice at Iju-Ojuore, Ogun State.
The daring operation resulted in the seizure of nine trailer loads of foreign rice, along with 18,100 liters of petrol and other illicit items.
Eleven suspects have been apprehended in connection with the seized goods.
The Acting Controller of the unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, revealed during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday that the seized items also included bales of used clothes, cartons of frozen poultry products, pieces of used compressors, used tyres, used vehicles, and cartons of frozen fish.
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The total duty-paid value of the confiscated goods stands at an impressive N872.6 million.
Ejibunu further disclosed that the unit generated N71.3 million through meticulous documentary checks. Demand notices were issued on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate customs duty.
The successful operation underscores the Service’s commitment to curbing illegal activities and ensuring the enforcement of customs regulations.