Setbacks Spotlight: The Implication of Illegal Textile Importation In Nigeria

It was reported that the Chinese businessmen behind the elaborate illegal importation of textiles to Kano, namely; Gao Guoxu, aged 26, Li Yang, 28, Zhang Jiantao, 26, Zhao Shoumin, 26, and Zhou Jinxue, 35 are to be deported from Nigeria. Textile is one of the prohibited materials for importation in Nigeria and was made so due to the intention of the government to promote the production and manufacture of such materials within the country, making textile importation illegal and subject criminal liability.

The decision to deport the aforementioned individuals was announced on Wednesday after a joint inspection visit to Kano by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, David Parradang, following the discovery of  the operation of the illegal warehouses in Kano being carried out by the five Chinese Nationales, where the prohibited textile materials worth about 4 billion Naira was uncovered by Customs anti-smuggling operatives. The Comptroller-General of Immigration, David Parradang, disclosed that his led investigations also revealed that three out of the five Chinese nationals lacked valid travel documents to reside and conduct any business in Nigeria beyond the scope of their entry. However, investigations are still ongoing as to the immigration status of the other two.

The event has apparently prompted the servicemen to deepen routine checks operations to decrease irregular immigrants adding the law-abiding people who contribute to the national economic development through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and technology transfer will be given encouragement and all possible assistance.

According to the Comptroller General of Customs, the objective of the joint operation in Kano is tailored to restoring the national economy through the protection of the textile industry being sabotaged by illegal foreigners conducting illegal businesses. The large quantity o the seized textile will be reported to the appropriate authorities of the Federal Government for a directive.

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