The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command in October, intercepted 122 illicit commodities totalling N398m.
The command also generated N30m in income from luggage inspection and auction sales of confiscated petroleum items.
This is a tremendous increase of N24,921,200.00, a 400% increase over the N5,487,076 income earned during the same time previous year.
Acting Customs region Controller, Ogun Area 1 Command, Deputy Comptroller Amadu Shuaibu, said this on Wednesday during a briefing in the state’s Idiroko region.
Shuaibu identified 122 confiscated items, including 901 packets of Cannabis Sativa, often known as Marijuana or Indian hemp, and 500 pieces of foreign-used pneumatic tyres known as Tokunbo tyres.
Other items include 23 cars used to transport forbidden products, five foreign-used vehicles known as Tokunbo, and 4,684 sacks of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg apiece, the equivalent of eight caravan loads.
Shuaibu said:
“From October 1 to 31, 2023, the command generated the total sum of N30,408,276.00 as revenue, through baggage assessment and auction sales of seized petroleum products.
“In comparison with the amount of N5,487,076.00 collected in the corresponding period of the year 2022, there is a significant increase of N24,921,200.00, which is over 400% increment. We are able to achieve this feat due to our unwavering commitment to trade facilitation and robust stakeholders engagement.
“Our resolve to remain resolute in anti-smuggling fight has enabled the command to record a total seizure of 122 items comprising 901 parcels of cannabis sativa, commonly known as Marijuana or Indian hemp; 500 pieces of foreign-used Pneumatic Tyres, more commonly known as Tokunbo tyres; 23 units of vehicles used as means of conveying prohibited goods and 5 foreign used vehicles commonly known as Tokunbo; and 4,684 bags of foreign parboiled rice in 50kg each, which is an equivalence of 8 trailers load, among others.
“We are pleased to inform you that, during the period under review, the Duty Paid Value of the seizures recorded by the command amount to N398,470,687.00. Our success story is attributed to the enabling working atmosphere created by the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team.
“As a matter of fact, we recently took delivery of eight Toyota Land Cruiser trucks, provided by the CGC to enhance our anti-smuggling operations. Other factors responsible for our achievements was the strategic deployment of our gallant Officers and Men, deployment of intelligence and collaborative efforts of the sister agencies, and other critical stakeholders.”
Shuaibu stated that the continuous seizure of Cannabis Sativa, foreign-used pneumatic tyres, and other dangerous commodities demonstrates the command’s unwavering efforts and tenacity in protecting the teeming youth from toxic narcotics that might either shorten or leave their lives meaningless.
Shuaibu added that these accomplishments demonstrate Nigeria Customs’ steadfast commitment to the nation’s economic development and national security.
cc: Punch Ng
