The Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone “B”, Kaduna, Chedi Wada, has revealed that smugglers now use fake presidential number plates to smuggle cars into Nigeria, News About Nigeria reports.
The Kaduna Customs comptroller disclosed this when he received Bashir Rabe-Mani, the Zonal Manager of the News Agency of Nigeria, Kaduna Zonal Office, who paid him a courtesy call in Kaduna.
Wada explained that the smugglers have been dubiously using fake number plates belonging to various state and local governments, MDAs, Emirate Councils, and other governmental institutions.
The comptroller mentioned how saddening it is that vehicle smugglers are ridiculing the apex seat in Nigeria by using presidential fake plate numbers on newly smuggled cars to deceive customs.
Wada said that “It is too bad for them to be playing with the presidency. That’s why we always put heavy measures on those using the presidency for false instances on smuggled vehicles.”
He further noted that, because of how grievous the crime is, Customs has put a heavy hammer on those using presidential plate numbers to smuggle vehicles.
Wada also warned the criminals to respect the presidency, noting that the Customs would not relent in punishing offenders as they have in the past impounded lots of such vehicles with fake number plates.
He also stated that the service is committed to saving the nation’s economy by bringing criminals to book.
The comptroller therefore called on Nigerians to be interested in customs jobs and know what was happening at the customs in all areas, including its social media platforms and to also report when they discover these smugglers.
