Customs seize $296m timber in 11 containers
The Nigeria Customs Service, Lilypond Export Command, said it intercepted 11 20-foot containers loaded with timber and unprocessed wood valued at $296m about to be smuggled out of Nigeria.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Jibola Odusanya, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday.
Odunsanya added that the illegal exports were intercepted at the barge area of Apapa Port in Lagos.
He listed the containers registration numbers as TRLU9354677; MRKU9991028; MSKUS051480; MRKU7071648; TCLU2179830; MSKUS894593; MSKU3929849; GAOU2550990; MSKU7323470; and MSKUS953248.
According to him, acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of the Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit, following the discharge of some export-bound containers at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024, intercepted and detained the containers suspected to be used for smuggling.
“A total of 11 units of 20-foot containers fully laden with rough/sawn timber have been seized. This consignment is estimated to have a market value of $296m.
“The command on November 1, 2024, scheduled the suspected containers for a 100 per cent physical examination, and they were found to contain raw and processed timber, which contravenes Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff,” Odusanya stated.
The CAC mentioned that going by the provisions of Sections 148, 149, and 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the detained containers are hereby converted to seizures.
Odusanya emphasised that the seizure would serve as a deterrent to anyone or any exporter planning to smuggle restricted items out of the country.
“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,” he stated.
The CAC maintained that the seizures further underscore the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, even in the area of export.
