Nigerian customs impound threee bulletproof cars at Badagry

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command on Tuesday, seized three bulletproof cars with an estimated duty value of about N76 million.

The Area Controller, Victor Dimka, said the operation was done through intelligence gathering, and the vehicles have been handed over to the Department of State Security Service for further investigation.

Restating the command’s commitment to tackle smugglers on that route, Dimka said individuals who are desired to import bullet-proof cars must get clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

He said: “The command seized three bullet-proof cars with a duty paid value of N76 million and this was done through intelligence gathering by officers of the command.

“A particular bullet-proof car, which was a 2012 Mercedes C300, was intercepted at the Gbaji area of Badagry and it had an official plate number of FG 35 S02.

“Due process must be followed in the importation of bulletproof cars and the process is that the individual must apply to the ONSA and if it is approved, the office would send an approval certificate to the NCS and the individual would be allowed.

“All the cars that were seized have been handed over to the Department of State Security Service for further investigation,” he said.

Dimka also warned against attacks of Customs officers by smugglers.

“A situation where officers performing their legitimate duties are always ambushed and maimed with dangerous weapons would no longer be accepted or tolerated.

“Enough is enough. We are backed up by law so we are carrying out our legitimate duties by working to stem smuggling, so we are ready for war over this matter.

“Smuggling is dangerous to the economy, so anyone involved in it is considered as an enemy of the nation.

“We have upgraded ourselves and we have everything we need, so people should desist from smuggling or be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Dimka however reiterated the command’s commitment to surpass its revenue target for 2016, adding that all revenue loopholes have been effectively blocked.