The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi on Wednesday said that since 2018, the Service has intercepted 20 significant containers of arms, comprising 10,498 pieces of various arms and 114,929 pieces of ammunition, with an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N9.58 billion.
Addressing the media in Lagos on Wednesday, the Customs CG said that the total amount of pangolin scales intercepted by NCS and the Wildlife Justice Commission since 2021 is nearly 20 tons, representing the loss of over 30,000 pangolin species.
According to Adeniyi, “The challenges we face are formidable and multifaceted. Unscrupulous elements seek to exploit our current economic situation, engaging in smuggling activities that threaten the very fabric of our society.
“From arms and ammunition to narcotics, from restricted pharmaceuticals to staple foods, and even to our precious fuel resources – the spectium of illicit trade is vast and varied. What is even more disturbing is the fact that these activities have been linked to clusters of criminal networks that seek to cause harm to Nigerians.
“The scale and sophistication of these illicit activities are alarming. Since 2018 the NCS has intercepted 20 significant shipments, comprising 10,498 pieces of various arms and 114,929 pieces of ammunition, with an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 9.58 billion Naira.
“Notably, 60 percent of these seizures occurred within the past year alone, This recent surge accounts for 34.67 percent of the total DPV, 20.58 percent of the arms seized, and a staggering 99.62 percent of the ammunition intercepted over the six-year period.
“The intricate connections between these diverse smuggling activities and the networks facilitating them are now the primary focus of our strategic operations, such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting. These among other initiatives represent the multifaceted approach adopted by NCS to fortify our operations and safeguard Nigeria’s health and security interests.
“Of particular concern is the alarming rise in wildlife trafficking, which not only threatens our biodiversity but also tarnishes Nigeria’s international reputation.
“Our recent wildlife operations have yielded significant results in combating the illegal trade of endangered species:
“On August 8, 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with our main partneM,.
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“This operation, carried out in two separate locations, represents the largest seizure of pangolin scales globally since January 2020.
The Kano/Kaduna operation yielded 2,293 tons of pangolin scales and led to two arrests while the Lagos operation resulted in the seizure of 7.2 tons of pangolin scales and two additional arrests.
“A total of four persons were arrested in connection with these operations: 2 in Kano and 2 in Lagos.
“These seizures bring the total amount of pangolin scales intercepted by NCS and the Wildlife Justice Commission to nearly 20 tons since 2021, representing the loss of over 30,000 pangolin species.
“The threat to endangered species is unacceptable, and Nigeria will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to eradicate this illegal trade and ensure that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.
“An operation in Kebbi state led to the seizure of 445.45 kg of pangolin scales and the arrest of one individual.
“In a related international case, we’ve made substantial progress in an investigation linked to a shipment from Onne Port, Port Harcourt, which was intercepted at Hai Phong Port. Vietnam.
“The shipment contained 1,580 kg of elephant tusks. Three individuals, including both agents and sellers connected to this illegal export, have been arrested.
“Also, our ongoing efforts to curb the importation of illicit and potentially harmful pharmaceuticals have yielded significant results:
“On 15 October 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal, we examined a 40-foot container (No. SUDU8579006) declared to contain kitchenware. Upon inspection, we uncovered a concealment of 1,584 cartons of Barcadin Cough Syrup for Throat & Chesty Cough with Codeine, totalling 158,483 bottles (100ml each).
“This discovery highlights the sophisticated methods employed by smugglers to bypass our controls.
“In a separate operation on 11 of October 2024 at Apapa Port Command, we intercepted two 40-foot containers (Nos. MRKU0377493 and TGBU8886020) containing 300 bottles of CSP Cough Syrup. Alarmingly, 200 of these bottles were found to be expired, posing a significant public health risk. These recent seizures are part of a broader trend we’ve — observed.
“Between May 2023 and August 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service recorded 48 seizures of restricted pharmaceuticals and medicaments.
“During the same period, we also intercepted 119 shipments of narcotics and Indian hemp, Lepurts.
“In the area of rice Smuggling, we have seized a (total of 7,155 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice. Of these, 3,235 bags were recently confiscated along the Erekiti waterside, Seme road, and Ogun state border areas.
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