Customs in Oyo/Osun makes impressive performance :

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As Comptroller Abdulkadir nets N36.7bn revenue
Hits N10.7bn excise duty collection in one month

(Report by Udeme Clement):

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller A. R. Abdulkadir and his officers have made impressive performance in revenue collection for the Federal Government, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations to protect the nation’s economy.

From May 1, 2021 to July 6, 2021, the CAC and his team through hard work and resilience realised N15,871,894,311.83 (approximately N15.9billion), revenue collection. The Command also collected over N36,658,156,560.99, (approximately N36.7billion), from January to July 6, 2021.

Comptroller Abdulkadir, disclosed this astronomical revenue generation by his team to reporters, during a press conference in Ibadan.

He revealed; “It is worthy of note that Oyo/Osun Area Command made history by collecting excise duty of N10,658,695,609.41, (approximately N10.7billion) in the month of June 2021; which is the highest collected in a month, in the history of the Command”.

Speaking further, the CAC pointed out; “On anti-smuggling drive, the Command made 50 seizures and eight detentions resulting in Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N66.9 million.

“Items seized include;
3200 bags of foreign rice; secondhand shoes; bales of secondhand clothings; cartons of foreign tomato paste; cartons of insecticide; among other prohibited items.

“Within the same period under review, the Command through credible intelligence intercepted 525kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as Petrol, (25litres each keg). Also two drums of Petrol, (100 litres each), were equally seized by the recently inaugurated PMS Task Force team.
Upon approval from the Headquarters, the PMS will be auctioned and proceeds remitted accordingly.”

Comptroller Abdulkadir, went on; ” The Command also made detention of one unit of 2017 Honda Accord sedan car, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the vehicle is at the Command pending presentation of necessary Customs documents.”

He mentioned; “Two suspects were arrested during this period. However, they have been granted bail, pending determination of their cases.”

His assertions; “These achievements were made possible by the dexterity of my officers, who have committed themselves to serving the Nation and making Oyo and Osun States better for the citizenry. While the CGC has directed more stringent measures to further strengthen interception capabilities of Customs officers in corroboration with the extant laws and regulations guiding import/export procedures of the country, we carried out our enforcement and anti-smuggling activities with utmost professionalism, caution and intelligence gathering.

“We urge the public to cooperate with the Service in implementation of Government Fiscal Policies, to help improve the economy and Social welfare of the Nation.

“I want to appreciate Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit, Joint Border Patrol Team, Federal Operations Unit and the Strike Force Team for their contributions and synergy in the course of our duties.

“Collaboration of sister agencies either through information or joint operations have been greatly appreciated. Therefore, I will like to honour the DSS, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force and the Oyo State Operation Burst for their dependability and commitment.

“The Command remains steadfast and committed to enforcing Government policies in contribution to the growth and socio-economic development of the Nation. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.), has mandated that all laws, policies and directives of Government in increasing economic potential and strengthening the political standing of Nigeria in the committee of Nations must be adhered to.

“To this effect, various special task forces were set-up, which include Operation FishOut, Excise Task Force, PMS Task Force and most recently, the Mining Task Force (MTF Team); while invoking relevant sections in Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004, that guides all Customs Procedures. The MTF Team was created to comb the nook and crannies of both Oyo and Osun States in search of illegal mining operators, who failed to register their existence with Customs, to enable proper monitoring, statistical data analysis and control of Precious Materials (Ornamental Stones) that are mined and exported to foreign countries.

“Through this medium, I am appealing to companies engaging in mining operations of precious stones and other national mineral assets within Nigeria, to register their operations with Customs, to avoid embarrassment and sanctions in accordance with relevant sections of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004.

“In the midst of security challenges across the Country, we have sharpened our intelligence, revenue and enforcement capabilities to fight smuggling and enforce compliance with reference to extant laws guiding our procedures and rules of engagement.

“The media has a part to play in enlightening the public on the need to embrace legitimate trade and comply with government policies and directives.”