Customs FOUC intercepts contraband worth over N126 million, extends free medical care to host communities

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone “C” of the Nigeria Customs Service says it intercepted contraband worth N126,674,000 in one month, from Oct. 7 to Nov. 6, 2024.

The Unit’s Comptroller, Michael Ugbagu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Owerri, on Friday, on his recent scorecard.

Ugbagu listed the seized contrabands to include 5,189 sachets of various brands of tramadol 225mg and 100mg; 164 jumbo bales of second hand clothing; 212 cartons of foreign macaroni and 643 pieces of used pneumatic tyres.

Others were 119 jerrycans of premium motor spirit; 44 bags of foreign smuggled rice; 40 pieces of used compressors; and 10 parcels of cannabis sativa.

He added that the items were mostly intercepted along Ewu-Okada/Benin expressways and calabar axis based on credible intelligence.

He called on Nigerians to desist from smuggling and warned against patronage of expired vehicle tyres especially as the Yuletide nears.

“ We must warn road users against buying expired tyres in the disguise of second hand because expired tyres will never be the same as new ones. So no matter how expensive they may be , please insist on new tyres for your own safety “, he said.

According to the Comptroller, FOUC also organized a free medical outreach on Nov. 2 and 3, 2024, for their host communities in Irete, Owerri West LGA of Imo, as part of its corporate social responsibility in line with the Comptrolle-General, Adewale Adeniyi’s directive.

“ We provided free medical services ranging from BP check to blood sugar test and free eye checks as well as free consultations with medical professionals and distribution of free medicated glasses “, he added.

He further said that a borehole was already drilled and would soon be commissioned for use.

He thanked the C-G and his management team for their efforts in providing needed direction, an enabling environment, incentives and necessary logistics that aided the Unit’s performance.

He called on journalists and the general public to join the fight against smuggling and report perpetrators accordingly.