Customs intercepts 4,400 military wears in Owerri
The Federal Operations Unit Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a container with 4,400 pieces of ready-made military camouflage, combat boots and other kits with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N61,411,384.00.
The 1x40 feet container which also contained other contraband goods used as a decoy to conceal the bales of the military camouflage was intercepted along the Aba-Eleme axis by Customs Officers.
The three suspects identified as Emeka Omaliko, Udokachi Igba and Godwin Kalu were arrested in connection with the importation and clearing of the contraband.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hammed Ali, who paraded the suspects and the impounded items at Imo/Abia Command Headquarters in Owerri, said their arrest was another milestone in efforts towards stemming smuggling activities and protecting national security.
Ali, represented by the Zonal Coordinator Zone C, Assistant Comptroller-General Sanusi Umar, said that the importation of the military camouflage and combat boots contravenes schedule 4 (13) of ECOWAS Common External Tariff which falls under absolute prohibition.
He said: “You will agree with me that criminals often disguise as military and para-military personnel and use such wears to deceive, rob and kidnap innocent Nigerians. The seized camouflage uniforms can comfortably serve a full-fledged four battalions of 1000 persons each and still have an excess of 400 sets”.
He, however, said that the destination of the military wears was still unknown.
Giving further breakdown of the intercepted contraband, the customs boss said: “the officers and men of the Command on the 19 of July intercepted 1x40 container with number MRSU 3040298 and on examination, it was found to contain 11 bales containing 400 pairs of new set of sewn military camouflage uniform each, totaling 4400 sets, 15 cartons containing 20 pairs of Altama combat boots each, totaling 300 pairs; 27 made medical equipment made in China, seven wooden furniture kitchen cabinets and 337 packs of foreign tiles”.