Customs Ogun1, Resolute In Anti-smuggling Activities, Siezes 122 Items With Over 400% Increment In Revenue Generation
Customs Ogun1, Resolute In Anti-smuggling Activities, Siezes 122 Items With Over 400% Increment In Revenue Generation
By Jerry Aguigbo
Ogun1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has remained resolute in its Anti-smuggling drive, a
resolve which has yielded dividend, and enabled the Command to record a total seizure of 122 items comprising 901 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as Marijuana or Indian hemp; 500 pieces of foreign-used Pneumatic Tyres, more commonly known as Tokunbo tyres; 23 units of vehicles used as means of conveying prohibited goods and 5 foreign used vehicles commonly known as Tokunbo; and 4,684 bags of foreign parboiled rice in 50kg each, which is an equivalence of 8 trailers load, among others.
Briefing Journalists on the seizures made, the Command’s Area Controller, Ag. Controller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu said,
“the persistent seizure of Cannabis Sativa, Foreign used Pneumatic tyres and other dangerous goods, is a testimony of the Command’s relentless efforts and resilience in preventing our teeming youth from harmful substances which could either truncate or render their lives useless. It is also a proof of our concern in safeguarding our motorists from road mishap which could terminate their lives or subject them to permanent disability. We are determined to making our society a safe place to live with peace of mind and an enabling environment for our businesses to thrive.”
During the period under review, the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures recorded by the Command amount to N398,470,687.00. this success story, the CAC said, is attributed to the enabling working atmosphere created by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc+ and his management team. “As a matter of fact, we recently took delivery of 8 Toyota Land Cruiser trucks, provided by the CGC to enhance our anti-smuggling operations. Other factors responsible for our achievements was the strategic deployment of our gallant Officers and Men, deployment of intelligence and collaborative efforts of the sister agencies, and other critical stakeholders.
The Command’s revenue prowess was also in display, as it recorded an increase from 1st to 31st of October, 2023. The Command generated the total sum of N30,408,276.00 as revenue, through baggage assessment and auction sales of seized petroleum products. In comparison with the amount of N5,487,076.00 collected in the corresponding period of year 2022, there is a significant increase of N24,921,200.00, which is over 400% increment. The Command was able to achieve these feat due to its unwavering commitment to trade facilitation and robust stakeholders’ engagement.
According to Shuaibu,
“In a bid to improve on the existing synergy and collaboration with critical stakeholders in Ogun State, upon resumption of office, we embarked on a familiarization tour of traditional Institutions and security agencies. We were warmly received in all the places visited and secured their reassurances of continuous support and good working relationship. We visited the palaces of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, the Olota and Paramount Ruler of Aworiland and Oniko of Ikolaje Kingdom, Idiroko. We equally visited the State Commands/Unit of the Nigerian Police (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of Security Service, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy School of Music (NNSM) and 192 Battalion Rear of the Nigerian Army.
While reassuring the general public of his Command’s unwavering dedication to discharging its statutory responsibility with due diligence and utmost sense of patriotism. The Command’s henchman reiterated that he operates an open-door policy to accommodate the support of patriotic Nigerians through sharing of useful information and other forms of information that may require their attention on legitimate trade or other activities generally.” Let me use this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to stemming the tides of smuggling in Ogun State and warn recalcitrant smugglers or would be smugglers to steer clear of smuggling activities or face the consequences. Failure to heed these warnings await them gross financial loss and full wrath of the law,” he warned.
About Post Author
