Customs at Oyo, Osun rakes in N21.9bn …Seizes N113.8million contraband, 33 means of conveyance …Arrests 10 suspects

Customs at Oyo, Osun rakes in N21.9bn

Seizes N113.8million contraband, 33 means of conveyance

Arrests 10 suspects

By Udeme Clement

Unrepentant smugglers engaging in illicit trade within Oyo/Osun axis would be counting their losses by now, as Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Oyo/Osun Command impounded prohibited items estimated at a Duty Paid Value, DPV, of over N113.8million brought into the country illegally.

The Command also impounded 33 means of conveyance, even as it swiftly apprehended 10 suspects in connection with the contraband.

Aside from its anti-smuggling feat, the Command made impressive performance in revenue generation, as it raked a huge sum of N21.9bilion (approximately N22billion), into the coffers of the Federal Government, from January to November 2018.

The new Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Command, Comptroller  Abdullahi Z. A. disclosed this yesterday in Ibadan, while taking news men round numerous contraband intercepted by the Command in just two months.

He explained that the N21.9billion realised from January to November this year, is out a revenue target of N24.28billion given to the Command in 2018.

Financial Business learnt that Oyo/Osun Command realised N17.6billion revenue from January to December 2017. This amount compared to N21.9billion generated from January to November 2018, shows increase of about N5billion, even when December revenue has not been added yet.

Comptroller Abdullahi enthused, “It is worthy to note that our revenue collection has remarkably improved this year, as the Command made N21,954,286,280.9K from excise factories, from January, 2018 to November. This represents 90.4 percent of the Command’s revenue target for 2018”.

The CAC in giving the breakdown stated, “The Command recorded seizures of eight used Vehicles with DPV of N20,180,876.39K; 3,010 bags of  foreign rice (50kg each), worth N50,556,678.25k; 600 kegs of Vegetable Oil (25liters each), with DPV of N13,537,125.00k. Others include Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Indian Hemp, worth N6,999,776.59K; 25 Bales of secondhand clothing worth N6,443,671.50K, as well as  33 means of conveyance  with DPV of N16,125,291.97K.  The total DPV is put at N113,843,419,70k.”

His explanation, “The above seizures were made at different locations within the Command’s area of coverage. It would interest you to know that most of these smuggled items were conveyed in commercial buses and cars meant for transportation of people and goods, but were converted to perpetrate this dastardly act by economic saboteurs.

“The law that prohibits importation of rice and used vehicles through the borders is not new.  So, those claiming ignorance of the ban have no excuse to give”.

The CAC pointed out, “Due to the recent huge seizure of illicit drugs at the Sea Ports, it becomes imperative for us to intensify our efforts against illicit drugs trafficking through the nation’s borders, with a view to checking influx of illicit drugs through our territorial boundaries”.

He informed, “It must however, be stated that the Command’s achievements were made possible by the continuous  support and encouragement of the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Hameed Ali,  through provision of brand new patrol vehicles and other logistics needed to enhance our operational efficiency at the Command.

“Therefore, we pledge not to relent in our efforts to justify the CGC’s huge investment in anti-smuggling campaign.  We must work hard to support government policy, aims at growing local industries to create jobs and strengthen security in the country, especially at the borders.

“I enjoin patriotic citizens who engage in legitimate business not to entertain any fear, as the Service is only concerned about bringing those who flout Customs and Excise law, as well as regulations to book. Those who engage in legitimate business would enjoy trade facilitation at all times.”

The CAC addressed Journalists with the Deputy Comptroller, DC of Enforcement, Assistant Comptroller, AC Eyo Inuekin in Valuation Unit, Assistant Comptroller, AC Akpan Peterson in Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU, among other top officers of Oyo/Osun Command.