The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), intercepted contraband goods valued at N468,706,602 over a 17-day period in March.
This was revealed by the Command’s Controller, Comptroller Joseph Adelaja, during a press briefing at the command’s operational headquarters in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Monday.
“I am pleased to inform you that, within the last 17 days following the command’s first press briefing under my leadership, we have once again recorded significant seizures of smuggled goods, including foreign parboiled rice, cannabis sativa, used tyres, used clothes, used shoes, and used compressors, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N468,706,602,” Adelaja stated.
He attributed the success to robust intelligence sharing between the Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit, and collaboration with key stakeholders in the fight against smuggling.
Among the intercepted goods were 2,030 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), hidden inside three heavy-duty trucks, with a DPV of N223,300,000.
“Notably, these bags of foreign parboiled rice were concealed in three heavy-duty trucks.
Unfortunately, these trucks were being used to smuggle prohibited items.
These illegal activities not only undermine our nation’s economic development but also pose significant risks to the safety and well-being of our citizens,” Adelaja said.
The seized items also included:
28 bales of used clothes (DPV: N20,160,000), One bale of used shoes (DPV: N420,000), 28 used refrigerator compressors (DPV: N1,764,000), 8 used air conditioner compressors (DPV: N252,000), 167 used tyres (DPV: N16,032,000), 167 (25-litre) kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) (DPV: N4,592,500), 660 kg of cannabis sativa (DPV: N21,780,000) and Three trucks (DPV: N180,406,102).
Adelaja also urged transport companies to install tracking systems in their vehicles to monitor movements and prevent them from being used in smuggling operations.
The Comptroller warned smugglers to cease their illegal activities, stressing that such actions are detrimental to the nation’s economy.
He reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to enforcing Customs regulations and curbing smuggling.
In his remarks, Adelaja thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his continued support in ensuring effective service delivery.
He also expressed gratitude to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for providing an enabling environment for the command’s operations.
He commended the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command for their dedication and resilience in tackling smuggling and acknowledged the ongoing cooperation from other security agencies in the fight against illicit trade.
