The Ogun State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday said it had stepped up activities in the quest to effectively perform its core functions of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade.
This was revealed during a press conference organised by the command at the Idiroko Axis of the command.
According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Maiwada A.A.,the acting controller of the command, DC. Agbara Ojobo Michael is committed to achieving even greater feats in the coming weeks.
In his words: “It is pertinent to inform you that within the period of 2nd May to 4th June, 2018, we have generated a total revenue of N437, 860, 681. While in the area of anti-smuggling, the Command made seizures of 51 vehicles (19 Tokunbos and 32 means of conveyance), 5, 103 bags of foreign rice (50 kg each), 135 kegs of vegetable oil (25liters each), 33 bags of sugar (50 kg each), 7 bales of secondhand, 3 bales 36 sacks and 300 pairs of foot wears, 129 pieces of used tyres, 102 Kegs of Petrol (PMS) of 25 litres each and 1 sack of ladies handbags with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N370, 892, 666.00.
Speaking further, Maiwada said: Most spectacular among the seizures is a brand new Range Rover (velar) 2018/2019 model seized and tagged “the seizure of the month”. The said vehicle which happen to be the second seizure of such in this year has a DPV of N64, 249, 064.80.
According to Maiwada, “the aforementioned achievements notwithstanding call for concerted efforts of the media, traditional rulers and eminent personalities in fight against smuggling. They are expected to discourage their wards that indulge, aid and perceive smuggling to be a legitimate way of livelihood.
Permit me to seize this opportunity to inform you that 6, 750 bags of rice (50kg each), 610 jerry cans of vegetable oil (25 liters each), 59 bags of sugar of 50kg each, 326 bales of Secondhand clothing, 100 cartons and 5703 pairs of different forms of shoes among other items will soon be evacuated from both Abeokuta and Idiroko Government Warehouses by Nigeria Army Corps of Supply and Transport for onward delivery to IDPs in Borno state.”
Highlighting a working relationship between the NCS and other security agencies in the state, Maiwada explained: “The above categorically affirmed the unity of purpose, synergy and collaboration that exist and cut across all hierarchies of different security services in Ogun state and Nigeria at Large. The success of each is a collective success of all sister agencies.
The primary goal is to serve Nigerians diligently without any form of compromise.
We are elated to inform you that our success story is incomplete without mentioning the support and cooperation we are receiving from Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps among other Agencies,” he said.
