By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has seized prohibited goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N273.7 million, including 1,996 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil, as it intensified its crackdown on illicit trade.
The seizure by the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, involves two 20-foot containers loaded with foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway on June 14.
Speaking during a press briefing in Calabar on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Momodu Dauda, said after a thorough examination, officers discovered 1,996 kegs of 25-litre refined vegetable oil with a DPV of N195.5 million.
Dauda said also seized were 1,500 imported used tyres of various brands valued at N61.4 million and 105 jumbo-sized rolls of second-hand clothing with a DPV of N15.6 million.
Also in a separate operation conducted earlier on Wednesday, Customs officers intercepted 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N1.15 million.
According to the Area Controller, the latest seizure brings the total volume of PMS intercepted by the command in 2026 to 5,760 litres.
He said the seized fuel have been disposed of in line with safety protocols because of its highly combustible nature.
Dauda explained that the items were listed under the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List and were therefore not eligible for importation into Nigeria.
“Their interception and seizure are in line with the provisions of Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as applicable trade regulations governing prohibited imports,” he said.
He noted that the restrictions were designed to protect public health, preserve environmental standards, promote local industrial growth and shield Nigerian manufacturers from unfair competition.
The Customs boss said the seizures demonstrated the command’s commitment to protecting the national economy, supporting local industries and preventing the unlawful importation of prohibited goods.
Dauda also warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from economic sabotage, stressing that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to enforce government trade policies and secure the nation’s borders.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for providing strategic leadership and operational support that have strengthened enforcement activities across Customs commands nationwide.
