The Ogun state command of Nigeria Customs Service have declared that her Anti-Smuggling drive at the Command has continued to yield remarkable result.
This was made known by the Customs Area Controller, Ogun State Area Command, Bamidele Makinde on Wednesday 11th of July, 2023 during a press conference at the command headquarters, Idiroko, Ogun state.
Controller Makinde disclosed that,”The anti-smuggling drive of the Command has continued to yield remarkable result.
During the period under review, we made a total seizure of 392 items which comprises 5,048 pieces of Used tyres; 390 bales of used clothing; 61 Units of vehicles, including 5 luxury buses; 173,975 litres of PMS (an equivalent of 5 tanker loads); 107 sacks and 1,595 wraps of cannabis sativa; 167 cartons of 100x100ml and 27 cartons of 200x100ml codeine syrup; and 22,526 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each (which is an equivalent of 37 trailer loads), among others.
We remain resolute in our fight against smuggling of rice and other prohibited items in order to encourage local production in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) policy on local rice production.”
He also announced that,” The Command generated the sum of N93,301,130.00 from import duties; auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and scrap vehicles seized from smugglers. A comparative analysis of the Command’s performance during the period under review and the corresponding period of 2022, indicates a significant increase in revenue collection. The revenue generated from January to June last year was N29,940,146.50, compared to this year’s revenue of N93,301,130.00 which is about 310% increase.”
The Custom Controller, while waging war against die-hard smugglers, urged them to embrace legitimate trade and steer clear of smuggling and other nefarious activities that are inimical to the economic development of our the nation. He also encouraged compliant traders by operating an open door policy and creating an enabling environment for trade to thrive.
He added that,” we maintained a robust synergy with our sister security agencies and cordial community relations with our host communities. “