The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has successfully intercepted a major timber smuggling operation, seizing 11 containers loaded with rough and processed wood valued at approximately $296 million.
The seizure was made at the barge area of Apapa Port in Lagos on October 11, 2024, following a tip-off from credible intelligence.
Jibola Odusanya, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Lilypond Export Command, disclosed the operation details in a press briefing held at the command on Wednesday.
The intercepted containers, which included a mix of 20-foot units, were found to be unlawfully carrying timber and unprocessed wood intended for illegal export.
The registration numbers of the containers were identified as TRLU9354677, MRKU9991028, MSKUS051480, MRKU7071648, TCLU2179830, MSKUS894593, MSKU3929849, GAOU2550990, MSKU7323470, and MSKUS953248.
Acting on precise intelligence, officers from the Lilypond Export Command, alongside officials from the Customs Intelligence Unit, conducted a thorough inspection after the containers were discharged at Apapa Port.
Their examination revealed that the containers contained raw and processed timber, violating Nigeria’s Common External Tariff regulations, specifically Schedule 6, which restricts the export of certain timber products.
“The total market value of the 11 seized containers, filled with rough and sawn timber, stands at an estimated $296 million,” Odusanya explained.
“The NCS took immediate action, scheduling the containers for a 100 percent physical examination on November 1, 2024. This confirmed that the contents were in violation of export laws.”
According to Odusanya, the seizure is in compliance with Sections 148, 149, and 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers the service to convert the detained containers into formal seizures.
The CAC emphasized that the action would serve as a clear message to exporters considering smuggling timber or other restricted goods out of the country.
“This seizure demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring compliance with trade regulations,” Odusanya remarked.
“We will not allow the export of goods that contradict the laws of our country, regardless of the scale of the operation or the potential profits involved.”
The interception underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal exports, particularly those involving the country’s natural resources, which are often targeted for smuggling.
Odusanya stressed that such actions are part of the service’s broader strategy to curb illegal trade activities and protect Nigeria’s economic and environmental interests.
“This successful operation is part of the zero-tolerance policy of the Customs’ Comptroller General for any form of smuggling,” he stated. “We will continue to take decisive steps to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s borders, preventing the illegal export of restricted items.”
The NCS also reiterated its resolve to not compromise on enforcement, ensuring that all trade activities, both import and export, comply with Nigeria’s regulations and safeguard national interests.
This latest interception is a reminder of the critical role the Nigeria Customs Service plays in tackling smuggling, a persistent challenge in the country’s fight against illegal trade.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
