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The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command’s Controller, Dr Ben Oramalugo, on Friday, August 30, 2024, declared that the Command generated N18, 078, 967, 686.49 as revenue.
Dr Oramalugo stated this at a press conference held on Friday, at the Command’s headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The area Controller said the Command had, from January to August 29, 2024, cumulatively generated N48, 743, 215, 625 .64 (Forty-eight billion, seven hundred and forty-three million, two hundred and fifteen thousand, six hundred and twenty-five naira and sixty-four kobo as revenue.
He said the generated revenue covering the period January to August 2024, signified a 2.74 percent increase compared to the sum of ₦47,408,251,086.73 (Forty-seven billion, four hundred and eight million, two hundred and fifty-one thousand, eighty-six naira and seventy-three kobo) collected as revenue for the period of January to August 2023.
Speaking on the Command’s efforts at combating anti-smuggling activities, Oramalugo disclosed that the Command seized 753 kegs and 94 drums (40, 915 litres) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with duty paid value (DPV) of N27, 894, 900.00; 2,448 wraps and 11 sachets (2,020 kg) of Cannabis Sativa with DPV of N148, 932, 000.00; 2,183 (50kg) bags of foreign parboiled rice with DPV of N192,104,000.00; 2,667 pieces of used tyres with DPV of N254, 839, 500.00.
Other seizures made by the Comm and include 24 bakes of used clothing with DPV of N17, 280,000.00; 01 used Mazda car (626) with DPV of N3,600,000.00; 01 used Pick-up Truck with DPV of N7,700,000.00; 01(10 tyres) used DAF Truck with DPV of N30, 800,000.00 and 01(6 tyres) used DAF Truck with DPV of N30,000,000.00.
Dr Oramalugo said that in the spirit of interagency collaboration, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi, had given approval to the Command to hand over the 2,448 (Two thousand four hundred and forty-eight) wraps and another 11 (eleven) sachets of Cannabis Sativa worth ₦148,932,000.00 (One hundred and forty-eight million, nine hundred and thirty-two thousand naira) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command.
He also said the Command had received approval to auction the intercepted Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) listed as part of the seizures, due to its inflammable nature.
“A total of 40,915 litres of Petroleum PMS with a Duty Paid Value of ₦27,894,900.00 (Twenty-seven million, eight hundred and ninety-four thousand, nine hundred naira only), have been auctioned during the period covering June 14th to August 29th, 2024,” Oramalugo said.
“I would like to point out that in a bid to tackle the ever-evolving tactics of smugglers the Command is presently adopting various technological innovations as well as strengthening our collaboration with other security agencies, stakeholders and the general public to combat smuggling and protect our economy from the dangers of illicit trade.
“I would like to also emphasise that these seizures represent a significant blow to smugglers and a win for lawful trade and economic stability. The milestone recorded here today is a result of strategic intelligence gathering, increased patrols, and the dedication of Command’s officers who have demonstrated exceptional vigilance and commitment to duty.
“As we move forward, the Oyo/Osun Area Command remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and service in all our operations. We would continue to leverage technology and innovative practices in line with the new NCS Act of 2023 to further enhance our operations and deliver on our mandate,” Oramalugo said.
Representative of the State Command, NDLEA, at the event, ACN Wokoma Terry, PSO Operatives, while speaking with journalists after a formal handing over by the area Command’s Controller, said: “The drugs will be destroyed since there no suspect attached. The seizure is a massive one. Every crime in any clime starts with drugs, and in collaboration with the Customs, we will sustain the war against drug trafficking.”
Dr Oramalugo expressed his appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde, the CGC, BA Adeniyi, traditional rulers in both Oyo and Osun states, sister security agencies, sister units of the Customs Service and other stakeholders for their continued support and collaboration.
“Together, we will build on our successes and overcome the challenges ahead as we strive to fulfill our mandate under the Nigeria Customs Service Act,” Oramalugo said.
