The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in May 2024 collected duties worth N6.34 into the Federal Government coffers.
The Command between April and June, 2024 also broke several smugglers syndicates and seized smuggled goods worth N129.85 million.
The Command’s Area Controller, Dr
Ben Oramalugo, while briefing newsmen recently at the Command’s headquarters in Ibadan said his officers’ strict stance against smuggling activities has made them to remain vigilant and proactive in intercepting illicit goods and apprehending perpetrators, while applying intelligence and technological solutions.
He said in the months of April, May and some parts of June, the men of his command embarked on numerous successful operations resulting in the seizure of contraband items and for the period covering 17th April to 13th June 2024 the Command has made interceptions and seizures worth N129.85 million.
The seized smuggled goods include 504 wraps of Indian Hemp weighing 392kg and valued at N15.81 million; 600 50kg bags of imported parboiled rice loaded on a trailer and valued at N50.28 million; 126 pieces of used tyres worth N15.64 million; two used vehicles valued at N42.59 million; and 274 units of 25-litre kegs premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly known as fuel worth N5.52 million.
The Controller explained that despite the economic headwinds encountered for most parts of the second quarter of 2024, the Oyo/Osun Area Command has demonstrated much resilience and has successfully generated the sum of N6.34 billion for the month of May 2024.
“Cumulatively, when added to the revenue generated for the months of January to April 2024, the sum of ₦30.66 billion has been generated as revenue for the period of January to May 2024. This represents a 5.2% increase, when compared to the sum of ₦29.15 billion generated during the same period of the year 2023,” Oramalugo said.
He attributed the increase to the dedication and efficiency of men of his command in ensuring compliance and maximizing revenue collection.
The Controller further hinted that the Command had received approval to hand over the 546 wraps and another 33 sacks of Cannabis Sativa worth ₦21.12 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Oyo State Command.
“In the same vein, I would like to mention that approval was also received prior to this press briefing to auction the seizures of PMS listed as part of our seizures due to their inflammable nature” he added.
