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The Nigeria Customs Service Ogun Area 1 command have declared a seizure of 740 bags of Chinese rice of 25kg, 12,610 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg in the first quarter of 2023.
The seizure was discussed yesterday at a press conference organized by the command controller, Controller Bamidele Makinde in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Controller Makinde stated that, “The Command generated a total sum of N44,857,053.50 as revenue in the period under review. The proceeds of the revenue consists of duty collected on merchandise in baggage, auction sales of scrap vehicles and Petroleum products.
In comparison, the above generated revenue is higher than the sum of N5,512,901.50 collected as revenue same period in the year 2022. May I reiterate that the revenue activities of the Command comprises importation and exportation of legitimate goods, goods under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and assessment of merchandise in baggage.
The Command is working hard to promote export business in order to shore up the forex earning of the country.”
Similarly, the command also made a seizure of 1,446 Cartons of Imported Cigarettes labelled and addressed in Chinese language contrary to the extant laws.
Other seizures recorded during the period under review include the following:
a. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS): 77,250 liters
b. Used vehicles used for the conveyance of smuggled goods: 29 Units.
c. Artifact: 10 big pieces and 19 small pieces
d. Secondhand clothing: 73 bales
e. Foreign used shoes: 14 sacks
f. Foreign used tyres: 900 pieces
g. Frozen Poultry products: 1,120 cartons
h. Body Cream: 240 pieces
i. Cannabis Sativa: 107 sacks and 1,375 wraps of book, bread and coconut sizes
The cannabis sativa in the custody of the command was handed over to the Commander of Narcotics, Ogun State Command of NDLEA, CN Ibiba Odili.
This, according to the controller was aimed to further strengthen the collaboration between the agencies in safeguarding our youths from the harmful substance, which could endanger their lives and the environments.
The Controller also added that,”the Command collaborated with Integration Art Palace and Tour in collaboration to organize a 3-day Art for Economic Development programme tagged “Nigeria Customs Service Enabling a Secure Border Trade”. The programme was said to be part of the Command’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the objective of promoting trade through art works exhibited by artisans and secondary school students within Idiroko border community and its environs. The Command also used the avenue to educate the participants on the activities of Customs in Ogun State, benefits of legitimate trade, and the dangers inherent in smuggling activities.
The Controller appreciated the officers and men of the command for their dedication to the noble cause of fighting the monster called smuggling. He implored them to always adhere strictly to the rules of engagements while discharging their statutory duties.