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The Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday said it had intercepted 55 fairly used vehicles smuggled into the country since the border was closed on August 20.
A statement by the command’s spokesman, Abdullahi Hussaini, said the seizure was part of the tremendous achievements recorded by the command in its anti-smuggling operations.
“The command within the period of the exercise intercepted 55 fairly used smuggled vehicles with DPV values worth millions of naira,” he said.
Hussaini described as baseless and unfounded some reports on social media alleging that officers were collecting money in order to allow passage of fairly used vehicles into the country despite the closure.
He urged members of the public with tangible evidence that could assist the command to tackle any recalcitrant officer to come forward for the benefit of all, urging social media users to do proper investigation before making such serious allegations in order not to dampen the morale of officers in the discharge of their duties.
The spokesman disclosed that NCS has introduced palliatives to help those whose vehicles were impounded or without duty. He enjoined those who are willing to pay duty to visit the nearest Federal Operations Unit to pay their fees.