The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 56 containers containing prohibited and improperly declared goods with a combined value of N5.53 billion.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Tuesday during a visit to the Port Harcourt II Area Command in Onne, Rivers State.
According to Adeniyi, the seizures were made through intelligence-driven and risk-based operations designed to prevent prohibited, restricted and improperly declared consignments from entering the Nigerian market.
He said the intervention was also aimed at protecting local businesses from unfair competition caused by the unchecked importation of goods that could be produced or processed within Nigeria.
“The intervention formed part of intelligence-driven and risk-based operations aimed at preventing prohibited, restricted and improperly declared consignments from entering the Nigerian market, thereby crippling the overall productivity of our local businesses,” he said.
The Customs boss warned that excessive importation of locally producible goods could place additional pressure on Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other domestic producers.
He explained that such imports could weaken demand for locally made products, discourage investment and undermine efforts to strengthen domestic value chains.
Adeniyi noted that the economic consequences were particularly significant for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
He said large-scale importation of products that could be produced or processed locally could undermine the Federal Government’s efforts to promote local industries, improve food security, create employment opportunities and diversify the Nigerian economy.
The Customs Service said it would continue to strengthen its intelligence and risk-management systems to prevent prohibited and improperly declared consignments from entering the country.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.