The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ has intercepted three trucks carrying 6×20ft containers of logs of unprocessed timber.
This was contained in a release to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday by the Zone ‘C’ Public Relations Officer, Mr Jerry Attah, adding that the arrest was made along the industrial road, Port- Harcourt.
He said the suspects contravened “Schedule 6 of the extant CET which comes with negative economic and environmental effects and must not be condoned.”
“On July 16, 2021, at about 2.00 pm, one of the surveillance teams of FOU Zone ‘C’, acting on credible intelligence trailed and intercepted three trucks conveying 6×20ft containers of logs of rough timber along the industrial road, Port- Harcourt.
The Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘C’, Assistant Comptroller General Olusemire Kayode while displaying the intercepted unprocessed timber at the zonal headquarters, Port Harcourt on Monday added that two suspects were arrested in connection to the seizure.
ACG Kayode while noting that the exportation of unprocessed timber contravenes schedule 6 of the Extant Common External Tariff (CET) added that deforestation comes with negative effects such as desert encroachment and environmental degradation.
He added that when tree felling is not checkmated, the ecosystem and its biodiversity are left to suffer.
He decried the economic loss brought upon Nigeria with the exportation of unprocessed logs adding that employment creation which results from local processing of the logs is vital for Nigeria’s teeming youth.
He commended the Controller and officers of the unit for their resilience, doggedness and steadfastness in tackling smuggling and cautioned against “senseless attacks on our operatives while carrying out their legitimate duties”.
