The Lilypond Export Command (LEXC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 11 units of 20ft containers fully laden with rough/sawn timbers worth two hundred and ninety-five thousand, nine hundred and forty-four US dollars ($295,944.00).
The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the command’s recent seizures at APM Terminals in Apapa on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
His words: “As you all know, this command is dedicated to overseeing export trade and has brought a lot of improvements in support of the Federal Government drive to promote non-oil export. It is important I reiterate that we have a resolve not to sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation as we shall always prevent the export of any consignment that run in conflict with the laws of our country.
“It is in the light of this that the command notifies the general public of its latest fight against smuggling and defiance to extant Customs laws and regulations. Acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of the Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) following the discharge of some export bound containers at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024 intercepted and detained these containers suspected to being used for smuggling.
“A total of Eleven units of 20FT containers fully laden with Rough/Sawn Timber have been seized. This consignment is estimated to having a street value of Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four US Dollars ($295,944.00).”
Comptroller Odusanya stated that the LEXC on November 1, 2024 scheduled the suspected containers for hundred per cent physical examination, and they were found to contain raw and unprocessed timber which contravenes Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff (CET).
According to him, particulars of the 11 containers are TRLU9354677, MRKU9991028, TCLU2179830, MSKU5051480, MRKU7071648, MSKU5894593, TCLU2179830, MSKU5051480, MRKU7071648, MSKU5894593, TCLU2543324, MSKU3929849, MSKU7323470, MSKU5953248, and GAOU2550990.
“Going by the provisions of Sections 148,149 and 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the detained containers are hereby being converted to seizures. While we are yet to apprehend the culprits behind this criminal act, we expect these seizures to serve as deterrent to any person or export trader planning to perpetuate similar offence,” he said.
The Comptroller assured that the long arms of the law would catch up with anyone that dares the command’s and NCS’ resolve, maintaining that it further highlights the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adeniyi’s zero tolerance for smuggling, even in the area of export.
He added: “It goes further to confirm our alertness with the support of other units within the service and sister government agencies to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area of export. I want to use this opportunity to, once again, urge our Small, Medium and Large-scale exporters to take advantage of our easy processes and window of opportunities provided by the Federal Government to encourage export trade.
“We shall continue to engage our partners and stakeholders as mandated by the CGC following the theme of the World Customs Organization for 2024 and that of the recently held 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Conference.”
