During a press briefing on Wednesday, Ahmadu Shuaibu, the Coordinator, Team A, Comptroller General of Customs Strike Force, said the total duty paid value on the 103 seized items was over N7.8 billion.

The seizures were made as a result of the team’s anti-smuggling actions and measures to prevent importer duty evasion between October and November 2021, he said.

While Shuaibu stated that the commodities were confiscated for violating the Federal Government’s export restriction regulation, he also stated that some of the items violated import rules.

He said, “Our combination of intelligence, diligent enforcement, and zero compromise disposition resulted in a total of 103 seizures with total duty paid value of N7,851,656,053.

“We have here as part of the seizures 61 containers of wood with DPV of N6,874,173,101; 36 containers of charcoal with DPV N381,916,500; 1,110 pieces of raw hides and skin in 185 sacks with a DPV of N61,188,750; 1x20ft container of batteries with DPV of N19,163,052; 4x40ft containers of second-hand clothing with DPV of N566,700,000; 1x20ft container of tomato paste in 1,912 cartons, worth N9,703,400.”

The seven individuals apprehended during the operations have been given bail, according to Shuaibu, who emphasized the team’s commitment to reducing smuggling activities in the state.

“We are not unaware of smugglers’ desperation to carry out their illegal activities always, especially when Yuletide approaches, but they should beware that no matter how smart they rate themselves, the Strike Force Team A will always be steps ahead of them.

“We will always uncover their antics, seize their wares and arrest them for prosecution. We advise them in their interest to desist from these unlawful activities and embrace only legitimate trades. The more they violate the laws, the more they have us to contend with,” he added.