The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, has intercepted goods on the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N273.6 million in a series of anti-smuggling operations across its area of responsibility.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Calabar, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Momodu Dauda, disclosed that the largest seizure occurred on June 14, 2026, when Customs operatives intercepted a truck conveying two 20-foot containers loaded with foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway.
He said a detailed examination of the containers revealed 1,996 kegs of 25-litre refined vegetable oil with a DPV of N195.5 million.
He added that the Command also intercepted 1,500 imported used tyres of various brands valued at N61.39 million and 105 jumbo-sized bales of second-hand clothing worth N15.63 million.
The Customs boss further disclosed that officers of the Command intercepted about 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Wednesday, with a DPV of N1.15 million.
He noted that the latest seizure increased the Command’s cumulative PMS interceptions for the year to approximately 5,760 litres.
“In line with safety protocols and considering the highly combustible nature of the product, the seized PMS has been promptly disposed of in accordance with established procedures,” he stated.
Dauda explained that the seized items fall under the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List and are not eligible for importation into Nigeria.
According to him, the seizures were made in line with the provisions of Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other relevant trade regulations governing prohibited imports.
He noted that the restrictions on such products are intended to protect public health, preserve environmental standards, encourage domestic industrial growth and safeguard local manufacturers from unfair competition.
Dauda said the interception reflects the commitment of the Area Command to protecting the national economy, supporting local industries and preventing the unlawful importation of prohibited items into the country.
He attributed the Command’s enforcement successes to the leadership and operational support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, noting that his reform-driven administration had strengthened intelligence-led operations and professionalism across Customs formations nationwide.
Dauda reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade, protecting national security and contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.
The Customs boss warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illicit trade, emphasising that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations and sustained enforcement measures to combat economic sabotage.
He also called on members of the public to support the Service with timely and credible information to help protect the nation’s economy and promote lawful trade.
(Guardian Newspapers)
