CUSTOMS: Oyo/Osun Command Records 25 Detentions Over Smuggling, Nets N39,99bn In 9 Months

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that it made 25 detentions and 43 seizures as a result of it’s onslaught against smuggling.

 

According to a statement on Tuesday, the command said it recorded a whooping N39,990,033,122.70 revenue and seizures from anti smuggling activities with total duty paid value of N636,052,507 between January and September 2020.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Command, Comptroller Mrs. Uche Ngozi was quoted saying the revenue figure for 2020 so far is 33.3 percent higher than what was collected within same period of 2019.

 

The Controller who expressed optimism in meeting the total 2020 target of N62,848,518,366.93 by end of the year described the customs as strategic to post Covid19 economic recovery for national growth.

She said: “Since my assumption of duty as the Customs Area Controller of Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service to showcase activities from 21st July to 10th October 2020.

“At this critical stage (post COVID-19 era) of economic recovery, the strategic contribution of the Nigeria Customs Service to economic revival is vital.

“Hence, the need to rebuild our economy through the collection of revenue accrued to the Government is paramount in the heart of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim
Ali (Rtd).

“Thus, the CGC has implemented policies to ensure that all forms of smuggling across borders are suppressed, legitimate trade is
facilitated, and maximum revenue collected and accounted for”

“We have not lost sight of the very important function of the fight against
smuggling. We have sharpened our intelligence, re-strategized, created
new patrol teams and drawn a more robust Area of Responsibility (AOR) chart to help combat these illicit activities.

” In line with Customs and Excise Management Act Cap.C45 LFN 2004 (CEMA) which guides the operations of the service” she said.

 

 

She said the achievements recorded were made possible by the resilient and vigilant officers of this Area Command, some of whom are being transferred currently to other commands. Their gallantry, effort and experience have been really appreciated in service to this Command.

She listed seizures made within the period to include: 265 kegs of 25 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit , which would be auctioned and proceeds remitted accordingly; 1Truck containing 600 bags of NPK 12-12-17 2MgO fertilizer, apprehended along Igbeti axis of Oyo State without necessary regulatory document.

The truck with the product has since been detained pending the provision of necessary documents; 800 bags of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer which has been converted to seizure after failure to produce the required document within the 90 days grace period with a Duty Paid Value of N18,702,000 and 2270 bags of 50kg each of Foreign Parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value of N96,055,050

 

Other seizures shown to journalists include 26 kegs of 25 litres each of foreign parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value of N530,692 ; 14 sacks containing 28 bags of concealed rice with a Duty Paid Value of N1,213,030 ; 20 kegs of 25 litres each of Vegetable Oil with a Duty Paid Value of N219,420 and 60 bales of Second Hand Clothing with DPV of N11,519,550 and
314 units of used Tyres with DPV of N3,681,995

Also seized were vehicles used as means of conveyance for some of the seizures which include 5 units of used Mazda 323 with DPV of N6,518,140; 1 unit of used Volkswagen Golf with DPV of N1,303,62 ; 1 unit of used DAF Truck with DPV of N7,242,375; 3 units of used Nissan Micra with a DPV of N2,232,714; 12 units of used Motorcycles with a DPV of N2,194,200 and 1 unit of used Suzuki Bus with a DPV of N1,448,475.