Customs’ Lilypond Export Command seizes 11 containers of timber, unprocessed wood in Apapa Port
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Lilypond Export Command, on Wednesday intercepted 11 Containers loaded with timber and unprocessed woods worth about $296,000, ready for smuggling out of Nigeria.
Disclosed at a briefing in Apapa Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Compt. Jibola Odusanya, listed particulars of the containers as including: TRLU9354677; MRKU9991028; MSKUS051480; MRKU7071648; TCLU2179830; TCLU2179830; MSKUS894593 and MSKUS051480, MRKU7071648; TCLU2543324, MSKU3929849; MSKUS894593, GAOU2550990; MSKU7323470 and MSKUS953248.
The CAC told newsmen that following credible intelligence, the Customs operatives intercepted the illegal export at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024.
His words: “Acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of the Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) following the discharge of some export-bound containers at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024, intercepted and detained these containers suspected to being used for smuggling.
“A total of 11 units of 20ft containers fully laden with Rough/Sawn Timber have been seized. This consignment is estimated to have a market value of $295,944.00. The LEXC on November 1, 2024 scheduled the suspected containers for hundred per cent physical examination and they were found to contain raw and processed timber which contravene Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff.
“Going by the provisions of Sections 148,149 and 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 the detained containers are hereby being converted to seizures.”
Compt. Olusanya, however, said that the seizure will serve as a deterrent to any person or exporter planning to smuggle restricted items out of the country.
“I reiterate that we have a resolve not to sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation as we shall always prevent the export of any consignment that runs in conflict with the laws of our country.
“While we are yet to apprehend the culprits behind this criminal act, we expect these seizures to serve as a deterrent to any person or export trader planning to perpetuate similar offence. I assure that the long arms of the law would catch up with anyone that dares our resolve.
“This further underscores the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, even in the area of export. It goes further to confirm our alertness with the support of other units within the service and sister government agencies to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area of export.”
He used the opportunity to urge our Small, Medium and Large-scale exporters to take advantage of the Export Command’s easy processes and window of opportunities provided by the federal government to encourage export trade.
He pledged continued stakeholders engagement as he said: “We shall continue to engage our partners and stakeholders as mandated by the CGC following the theme of the World Customs Organization for 2024.”
