The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, generated over N30 billion revenue in five months between January and May. The Customs Area Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Ibadan.
Oramalugo said the revenue represented an increase of 5.2 per cent against N29.15 billion generated in the comparative period of 2023. Oramalugo said the command in tandem with its revenue generation efforts maintained a robust stance against smuggling activities within its jurisdiction.
“In spite of the economic hardships that often exacerbate smuggling tendencies, command officers have remained vigilant and proactive in intercepting illicit goods and apprehending perpetrators. “The months of April, May and some parts of June, witnessed numerous successful operations resulting in the seizure of contraband items.
“Among the commodity seized include; 504 wraps of cannabis sativa weighing 391.9kg with N15, 814, 600 Duty Paid Value. “Also intercepted were 600 (50kg) bags of foreign parboiled rice, 6,850 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 123 pieces of used tyres, used Mercedes Truck and used Nissan bus,” he said.
He noted that the command had received approval to hand over the seized cannabis sativa worth N21,128, 260 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command. Oramalugo said the command’s efforts to educate various stakeholders within the Commands Area of Responsibility on the importance of adhering to customs regulations paid off with a significant reduction in under-declarations.
This, he said, contributed to the overall increase in revenue. He added that the introduction of advanced technology solutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project streamlined processes, enhanced transparency and revenue collection capabilities.
“I will like to inform members of the public, that in line with the policy trust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and in the spirit of interagency collaboration, the command has received approval to hand over seized cannabis to the NDLEA Oyo State Command.
“In the same vein, I would like to mention that approval was also received to auction the seized of PMS listed as part of our seizures due to their inflammable nature,” he said.
Receiving the seized cannabis sativa, Uche Ene, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, said the command would continue to strengthen inter-agencies collaborations for attainment of crime free society.
