Nigeria Customs intercept N1.687bn worth of bulletproof jackets in Ogun

• Oladeji detailed that each carton contained 10 packs of the jackets
  

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The Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit, Zone A in Ikeja, announced the interception of 150 cartons of bulletproof jackets valued at N1.687bn.

Speaking to journalists in Ikeja on Thursday, Customs Area Controller Kola Oladeji stated that the contraband was seized along the Ijebu-Ode-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.

Oladeji detailed that each carton contained 10 packs of the jackets, which were confiscated in June. He emphasized that, under Schedule 4 of the Customs Common External Tariff, the importation of any 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 comes from the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Oladeji said.

Oladeji vowed that the unit is working on credible intelligence to get the importers of these contrabands.

“These seizures were unique because it was a breach of security, no end-user-certificate.

“Because you get the certificate before you can bring your cargo and if you bring it after importation we would arrest you,” he said.

The CAC said the unit also intercepted kilograms of cannabis sativa and expired drugs within the period under review.

“Our dedicated officers also intercepted 989kilograms of cannabis sativa and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs,”

According to him, some of the interceptions took place 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, 3,560 cartons of poultry products,” the CAC said.

The CAC stated that four suspects were arrested in connection with the various offenses, “including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives,”

He disclosed that the cumulative duty paid value of the various intercepted goods amounts to, N3.6bn.