ABUJA: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) arrested some 316 suspects and intercepted illegally imported goods worth N2, 7 billion during the past year, a senior official disclosed.
David Dimka, the NCS Controller in the Southeast and South-South Zones, said 467 seizures were made during the period.
Of the suspects arrested for smuggling, one was convicted, 23 cases are now in court for the same purpose.
Dimka raised concern at the upsurge of smuggling activities in the country despite stiff penalties imposed on culprits.
He thus warned those still involved in the illicit business including the agency’s own officers, to desist forthwith in their own interest.
Dimka explained that the NCS has been struggling with the nagging problem of smuggling being perpetrated by some unpatriotic individuals who are desperate to make quick money to the detriment of the nation’s economy.
He assured that the NCS under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ibrahim Ali, would thus continue to apply decency and professionalism in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
Dimka appealed to members of the public with useful information about smugglers, their agents, sponsors and collaborators, to contact law enforcement agencies for prompt action.
“Such vital information will be handled with utmost confidentiality,” he assured.
