The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced that its federal operations unit (FOU), Zone C, Owerri, intercepted 3,310 jerry cans of smuggled foreign vegetable oil during a major anti-smuggling operation.

The comptroller of the unit, Bishir Balogun, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Mr Balogun said the seizure was made possible through strategic intelligence gathering and coordinated enforcement operations by the unit’s officers.

According to him, the items seized comprise 3,310 jerry cans of 25-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, 10 jerry cans of 10-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, 20 cartons of five-litre sunflower vegetable oil and 20 cartons of three-litre sunflower vegetable oil.

He described the seizure as a major setback for smugglers whose activities undermine local manufacturing, technology transfer, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings.

“This operation demonstrates the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2022 (as amended), as well as the Federal Government’s fiscal and trade policies prohibiting the importation of foreign vegetable oil,” he said.

Mr Balogun warned individuals involved in smuggling and other illicit trade activities to desist, stressing that the service would continue to intensify enforcement operations across its areas of responsibility.

He said the NCS would sustain intelligence-led strategies aimed at safeguarding public health, national security and the nation’s economy.

The comptroller added that the seized products remained in the service’s custody pending the conclusion of investigations and the commencement of appropriate legal action.

He reiterated the service’s resolve to curb smuggling and protect legitimate businesses operating within the country’s regulatory framework. 

(NAN)