The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) intercepted various types of goods worth ₦59,087,983,670.64k in Duty Paid Value (DPV) between January and October 2023.
The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, who stated this at his maiden media briefing in Ibadan, Oyo State, over the weekend, said the Command was able to seize goods worth ₦11,679,732,583.91k in DPV between September, when he assumed duties, and October 2023, through his rigorous enforcement measures and strategic initiatives.
The controller disclosed that the feat was made possible by the command’s resolve to continue to prioritize trade facilitation and religiously enforce provisions of the customs existing laws aimed at facilitating legitimate trade.
According to him, the implementation of various measures to simplify customs processes, reduce bureaucracy within the system with the aim of promoting legitimate trade, and foster a conducive business environment for excise traders operating within the command’s area of responsibility was also responsible for the feat.
He said the seizures were facilitated , the timely sharing of credible intelligence and effective collaboration between all units of the Nigeria Customs Service resident between Oyo and Osun States. (Federal Operations Unit, Border Drill).
A breakdown of the seizures, the goods, volume, and duty paid value during the period, includes rice, 1,248 (50kg) Bags, N27,456,000.00; P.M.S, 425 (25 Litres) Kegs N2,125,000.00, Used Clothing’s and Used Bags, 24 Bales of used Clothing’s ;,N4,320,000.00 ,1Used Bag ,N180,000.00.
Others are Used Tyres, 492 pieces, N2,952,000.00, Cannabis sativa, 64 sacks and 150 Wraps ,(Weighing 777.5kg) N14,138,460.00 and one Arms – Dane Gun,N9,000.00.
He said the series of interceptions recorded by the Command during the period , were facilitated with the use of intelligence and continuous patrol/enforcement operations by the operatives.
Comptroller Oramalugo showed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of sister agencies such as Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Security, NDLEA, and Oyo State Operation Burst .
The Controller also acknowledged the cooperation of various Traditional rulers and Community leaders who have continued to enlighten their respective Communities on the ills of smuggling.
In the spirit of inter agency cooperation, the Controller handed over the seized compressed Cannabis Sativa by the Command from various axis within its Area of Responsibility to the NDLEA .
He warned individuals with nefarious intentions aimed at sabotaging Nigeria’s economic development to steer would be deployed not only to frustrate them, but ensure such economic saboteurs are brought to justice.clear of the Command’s coverage area, saying all available resources in accordance with all Extant laws as enshrined in the new Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023,
The Controller advised well-meaning Nigerians to provide useful information which can be used to apprehend economic saboteurs within their environment, to the Area Command so as to improve the Command’s service delivery, rid the society of all economic saboteurs and safeguard the country.