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The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service on Thursday sealed off a Chinese warehouse and one unidentified warehouse at the Balogun Market section of the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service on Thursday sealed off a Chinese warehouse and one unidentified warehouse at the Balogun Market section of the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
The Chinese warehouse, which was filled with cartons of shoes when the Customs team arrived at the company with journalists, is located at the ground floor of Atiku Hall, opposite Ogun Plaza. The warehouse was opened by the Comptroller, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo, who explained that it had been under surveillance for allegedly stocking contraband items. According to him, 'What we have here are all prohibited items. These are shoes that were banned about four or five years ago. How they got here remains a marvel to us.' The NCS chief, who noted that the seizure was one of the biggest this year, however, added, 'I can assure you that it is the tip of the iceberg among those we are yet to impound. We are still going to comb every place to ensure that there is no hiding place for smuggled and contraband goods in Nigeria.'
Taiwo, who admitted that the FOU's warehouse was too small to contain the seized goods, said the warehouse would remain sealed. The warehouse's General Manager, Mr. John Anthony, who was prodded for comments by newsmen, merely said, 'Oga (Taiwo) has spoken to you, so what else do you want? I do not like this. I am not running away and you bring journalists here. I have called my lawyer and he will be here soon.'