Ogun Customs rakes in N2.6bn in 2018 …Intercepts petrol at border, arrests 3 suspects

Ogun Customs rakes in N2.6bn in 2018

.Intercepts petrol at border, arrests 3 suspects

By Udeme Clement

The Ogun State Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded huge revenue generation of N2.6billion from January to June 2018, economic year.  .
The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Command, Comptroller Michael Agbara, disclosed  this in a press briefing, at Idiroko border, yesterday, stressed that his officers are beaming their searchlight at every part of the Command, to curb smuggling through the border area.

The Command also arrested three suspects in connection with the seizures.
The CAC explained further that the Command’s anti- smuggling strategy is very effective, and would leave no stone unturned in tackling illicit business within its area of operations.

He disclosed, “The Command recorded seizures of 215 units of smuggled vehicles (popularly known as Tokunbo) brought in through illegal routes into the country”.

He revealed, “Other seizures recorded within this period include a total of 15,976 bags of foreign rice (50Kg each); 1,148 kegs of vegetable oil;  24 motorcycles (Okada); and 161 compressed packs of Indian hemp among other prohibited items, as you are seeing here”.

Comptroller Agbara went on, “In reviewing the activities of the Command within the last one month, we generated N393.5million, seized 37 smuggled vehicles and 3,000 bags of foreign rice among other contraband items.
Concerning the rice seizure, a particular truck intercepted around Mowe-Ibafo axis conveyed 600 bags packaged in branded bags of a local producer of rice, in a bid to escape security checks, but was caught”.

Our investigation revealed that, “99 out of the 600 bags were local brand while 501 bags were smuggled foreign parboiled rice re-bagged in local bags. Also, one drone camera, 244 gallons of vegetable oil, 208 pairs of used shoes, 4,220 cartons of tomato paste and 115 gallons of petrol among others have been seized”.

He pointed out, “Interestingly, we seized a drone at our parcel post when people think they can use it. If you want to buy drone, make sure you get an end user certificate.  In this case, there is nothing like that. Since a month ago, we gave the person that bought it a chance to bring the end user certificate, but since he’s yet to come I don’t have any other choice than to seize it, that is the directive from the Federal Government”.

His words, “Let me also inform you that all these efforts are achieved through hardworking officers, who are on patrol day and night at the Command.
We are warning smugglers to desist from illegal business, as Customs would not hesitate to go after them, whether in the creeks, bush or on the road”.