Bayo Akomolafe 
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command has intercepted 12,000 pieces of machetes imported into the country from China.
Its Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, also said on Friday that the command intercepted 4,129 packages of expired frozen poultry products and expired pharmaceutical products from Turkiye and India respectively.
Olomu said that the seized items had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N292.2 million, adding that the machetes were seized because the importer had no End-User Certificate (EUC) from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
He noted that the seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement in ensuring that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination.
He explained: “As part of the Comptroller-General of Customs policy thrust of zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted seven containers that fall short of the import prohibition guidelines from entering the country.
“On Thursday, 17 July 2024, the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete; 2x40ft carrying 4,129 packages of frozen hen; 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used second hand clothing; and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical.
“The DPV of these seized items stood at N292.2million. It is pertinent to note that this type of importation is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violate section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”
Olomu stressed that 2x 40ft of chicken from Turkiye was seized because the consumption was injurious to health, noting that there were lots of indigenous poultry products in Nigeria that needed to be patronised and protected.
He said: “Also, this particular one, it’s over one year they packaged this and it has expired. Govt banned poultry because of health hazard and to encourage local products.”
Olomu stated that the command would hand over the seizures to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.”
