…Intercepts contraband worth over N51 million
The Oyo/Osun command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has said that it has collected a total of Eleven Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Three Naira, Ninety One Kobo (₦11,679,732,583.91) as revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government between the month of September and October 2023.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo who disclosed this in a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Ibadan in Friday observed that the amount when added to the revenue collected for the period covering January to August 2023, would totalled a Sum of Fifty Nine Billion, and Eighty Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Naira, Sixty Four Kobo (₦59,087,983,670.64).
He maintained that the feat was made possible by the command’s resolve to continue to prioritize trade facilitation, religiously enforce provisions of customs extant laws aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, implementation of various measures to simplify Customs processes, reducing 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.
On anti-smuggling operations, the Controller hinted that the command, during the period under review, intercepted 1,248 (50kg) Bags of rice valued at N27,456,000.00; 425 (25 Litres) Kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS popularly known as petrol with a duty paid value of N2,125,000.00; 24 Bales of used Clothings valued at N4,320,000.00 as well as 1 Used bag with a duty paid value of N180,000.00.
Others include: 492 pieces of used tyres valued at N2,952,000.00; 64 Sacks and 150 Wraps of Cannabis Sativa weighing 777.5kg with a duty paid value of N14,138,460.00 and One (01) Dane Gun valued at N9,000.00 bringing the total Duty Paid Value, DPV to N51,180,460.00.
He disclosed that the illegal substance weighing a total of 777.5kg would be handed over to the NDLEA on Friday 10th November 2023. “Permit me to also state that the achievements showcased here today were made possible through timely sharing of credible intelligence and effective collaboration/synergy between all Units of Nigeria Customs Service resident between Oyo and Osun States (Federal Operations Unit, Border Drill).
“We would also like to mention that the collaborative efforts of the Sister Agencies such as Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Security, NDLEA, and Oyo State Operation Burst are all appreciated. Furthermore, we would also like to appreciate and acknowledge the cooperation of various Traditional rulers and Community leaders who have continued to enlighten their respective communities of the ills of smuggling.
“Our appreciation also goes to the Government of Oyo and Osun States for providing an enabling environment for the command’s Officer and Men to perform their statutory functions, while assuring our compliant stakeholders with legitimate businesses within the command’s Area of Responsibility of our maximum cooperation”, he said.
The CAC however, warned individuals with nefarious intentions aimed at sabotaging the economic development of Nigeria to stay steer clear of the command’s coverage area, as according to him, “all available resources in accordance with all Extant laws as enshrined in the new Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023 would be deployed not only to frustrate them but ensure such economic saboteurs are brought to justice.”
He therefore, solicit the assistance of well-meaning Nigerians and members of general public 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 to safeguard the country.
Continuing, he said, “At this juncture we wish to express our gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi who in his efforts to ensure the realization of the command’s mandate in the area of suppression of smuggling, has made provisions for operational vehicles to the command and leveraging on the inspiration and support received, we hope to improve our performance in subsequent months ahead.”
Send your press invite, news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @PrimetimeRepor1 and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
