By: Tola Adenubi – Lagos
The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday said it’s officials seized 115 seizures which include 6,743 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each (equivalence to 11 trailer loads),
19,806 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 18 units of used vehicles used for the conveyance of smuggled goods; 64 sacks and 824 wraps of book, bread and coconut sizes of Cannabis Sativa and 10 big pieces of Artifact between the month of January and February.
Addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Bamidele Makinde said that the Command also generated a total sum of N28,445,757.00 through import duties, auction sales of scrap vehicles and Petroleum products.
According to Controller Makinde, “In the area of revenue generation, the Command generated a total sum of N28,445,757.00 through import duties, auction sales of scrap vehicles and Petroleum products. I will like to 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.
“For suppression of smuggling, the relentless anti-Smuggling campaign of the Command has continued to improve our seizure profile. In the period under review, the Command recorded 115 seizures which include 6,743 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each which is an equivalence of 11 trailer loads.
“Some of the other seizures recorded during the period under review include the following: 19,806 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 18 units of used vehicles used for the conveyance of smuggled goods; 64 sacks and 824 wraps of book, bread and coconut sizes of Cannabis Sativa; 10 big pieces and 19 small piecese of Artifacts .
“One unit of Motorcycles used for the conveyance of prohibited items; 73 bales of secondhandlothing; 14 sacks of Foreign used shoes; 900 pieces of Foreign used tyres; and 520 cartons of Frozen Poultry products.
“The seizures were made at different locations such as Abeokuta axis, Ilaro axis and Ipokia/Idiroko axis, among others. The total Duty Payable Value (DPV) of the seizures is N231,218,506.00.
“In the area of trade facilitation, the Command is committed to facilitating legitimate trade. We value the business community and their contribution to the economy of the nation. We assure them of our continuous support in all aspect of their trading activities.
“However, we urge them to avoid any form of illicit trade that could adversely affect the economy and tarnish their reputation.
“May I use this opportunity to warn recalcitrant and would be smugglers steer clear of smuggling activities. Anyone caught in the act shall be made to face the full weight of the law.
“The Command has continued to maintain a good community relations with the Traditional Rulers, Community leaders and the Youths, etc. We are also committed to maintaining synergy with our sister agencies across the State. We appreciate the collaboration and cooperation of everyone which has engendered peaceful coexistence in the Communities and their environs.
“The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) CFR, has always overwhelmingly supported the anti-smuggling campaign of the Service and this has had a huge impact on the performances and achievements recorded by Commands, Units and other Customs formations across the nation.
“Our Area Command, in particular, has benefitted immensely from such support and sterling leadership. May I use this medium to appreciate him and his Management Team.