Oyo/Osun Command Nets N4.89b In January, Arrest Two Suspects

The Oyo/Osun Command, Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday said it collected a whooping N4,895,772,769.90 for the month of January 2021.

 

 

The Command’s spokesman, Mr. Kayode Wey who disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent , noted that between 19th November 2020 and 31st January 2021, the command  made  series of detentions and seizures amounting to a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N393,420,494  only.

 

The statement quoted the Customs Area Controller , Comptroller Abdulkadir A.R, saying the command’s operatives  arrested  two  suspects during the period under review.

 

 

He noted that the suspects have been granted bail pending determination of their cases.

 

“This achievement recorded today, was made possible by the experience, resilience and vigilance of officers of this Area Command.

 

While Harping on the command’s new strategies in tackling smuggling activities , the Customs Area Controller reiterated that codename “Operation Fish Out” has effectively made officers and men of the command to take the battle to the door steps of daredevil smugglers while invoking sections 147 and 151 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 .

 

“The Area Command under my management has further enhanced its anti-smuggling strategies by taking the battle to the door steps of the smugglers, rather than waiting for them to come out, in an operation codenamed “Operation Fish Out” while invoking sections 147 and 151 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 .

 

“With the power to search premises for uncustom goods and power to give rewards to informants who give genuine intelligence to help improve the capabilities of the command on anti-smuggling duties.”

 

 

According to him, sections 158 and 167 of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 LFN 2004 allows officers of Nigeria Customs Service to patrol freely across the nation and also makes provision for detention, seizures and condemnation of goods that fail to conform with the rules guiding importation, exportation or local production of such goods, respectively.

 

He also commended the current administration of Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) for his zero tolerance for all acts of corrupt practices , pointing out that the Oyo/Osun Area Command is committed to enforcing same.

 

 

“We shall further sharpen our intelligence and enforcement capabilities to fight smuggling and enforce compliance with reference to extant laws guiding our procedures and rules of engagement.

 

“We shall deploy all our strength and available logistics to ensure success in the battle against those who would like to dare the capability of officers of Oyo/Osun Area Command. Oyo and Osun states will be maden unbearable for economic saboteurs.

 

Comptroller Abdulkadir lauded efforts and contributions of the Customs Intelligence Unit, Federal Operations Unit, Strike Force,Customs Police and Joint Border Patrol Team , adding that other security agencies  such as the Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, Oyo State Operation Burst and  Amotekun played key roles in the fight against smuggling in the region.

 

 

The statement added that “Within the period under review, the command made seizures of 220 x 25ltrs each kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (otherwise known as Petrol). Upon approval from the Headquarters, they would be auctioned and proceeds would be remitted accordingly and accounted for.

 

 

“The Command, through its eagle eyes have also been able to sniff 20kg of cannabis Sativa packed in a 20kg bag with Duty Paid Value of ₦4,526,063.00 .

 

“This would be subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further action.

 

 

“Other seizures include: 3052 bags of foreign parboiled rice with DPV of ₦124,477,488.00 and 8 x 25ltrs each of Vegetable Oil with DPV of ₦217,251.00 , 60 bales of Second Hand Clothings (Okrika) with DPV of ₦15,030,143.00 ,  246 pieces of Used Tyres with DPV of ₦2,698,866.00  and 8 units of Toyota Camry (2020 Models) with DPV of ₦211,541,320.00 .

 

 

“Others item intercepted include 1 used Toyota Highlander (2019 Model) with DPV of ₦33,710,363.00 , 10 units of Motorcycles used as means of conveyance for smuggling of rice with DPV of ₦1,219,000.00 ; Within the period, one (1) used Mercedes Benz ML350 (2014 Model) has been apprehended and placed under detention pending provision of customs document.

 

By Roland Ekama