Comptroller Michael Ugbagu , the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’, of the Nigeria Customs Service, Owerri, urged the public to refrain from patronising second-hand clothing and support local manufacturers.
Comptroller Ugbagu made the call during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, on Wednesday.
He highlighted the dangers posed by smuggling used clothing, stressing that it undermines Nigeria’s local textile industry and deprives hardworking citizens of employment opportunities.
He also warned of the health risks associated with second-hand clothing. He revealed that between January and February 2025, seized goods recorded by the Command amounted to a duty-paid value (DPV) of ₦735,972,000.
He said: “The Command seized goods included 272 bales of used clothing, 13 bales of used shoes, 11 bales of used bags, 1,230 sachets of Tramadol, and 289 packs of Tramadol capsules, along with other prohibited items such as cannabis sativa, used tyres, and illegally imported food products.
“Intercepting these contraband goods aligns with the Customs Service’s core mandate to prevent revenue leakages, facilitate trade, and combat smuggling activities,” he said.