Customs intercept 265 kegs of exported petrol, 1,400 bags of fertilizer, others

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), on Tuesday, intercepted 1,400 bags of fertilizer and 265 kegs of petrol otherwise known as PMS.

Other items seized by the custom are: 60 bales of second hands clothings with DVP of N11,519,550.00, 26 (25 ltr) kegs of foreign rice, 28 bags of rice concealed in 14 sacks DVP N1,213,030.00, 2270 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice with DPV value N96,055,050, 26 kegs of 25ltr each of foreign parboied rice, and among others.

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The comptroller of the Command, Mrs. Uche Ngozi, who disclosed this during a press conference in Ibadan on Tuesday said: “fertilizer can be brought into the country in the name of farming but might thereafter be used for explosive device which can put a threat to the security of the country.”

She said illegal importation of fertilizer into the country might put threat to national security, adding that fertilizers are not only meant for farming, but can also be used for explosive device.

The customs boss noted that considering the security challenges across the country, there is a need to checkmate the rate of fertilizers coming into the country to avoid security threat.

According to her, the command would not release the 1,400 bags of fertilizers seized until a document come from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

She said: “One truck containing 600 bags of NPK 12-12-12 2MgO fertilizer was apprehended along Igbeti axis of Oyo State without necessary regulatory documents, the truck has been detained pending the provision of necessary documents from NSA office.”

The custom boss said the Duty Paid Value for all the seized goods from January till October was N636,052,507 only, which she said represents 102.4 percent increase when compared to same period in 2019.

She, therefore, appreciated the cooperation of the traditional rulers, community leaders, stakeholders and the people of Oyo and Osun state towards providing a enabling environment for the officers to function.