Between February and December of this year, the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area One Command, claims to have impounded 44,933 bags of illegally imported rice, which is equal to 73 trailer loads.
The command added that in the previous nine months, it had seized 2,250 tramadol pills, 940 wraps of cannabis sativa, and other smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value of N4 billion.
This was stated by the command’s controller, comptroller Bamidele Makinde, on Tuesday during a briefing on the command’s operations at its headquarters in idi-iroko, the state’s ipokia local government area.
He detailed how the command’s revenue from petroleum product auction sales and import duties totaled N58,676,751.
During that time, according to Bamidele’s command, 16,224 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 99 units of vehicles used for transportation, 41 sacs, and 940 wraps of cannabis sativa were also seized.
He said that the command’s successful use of intelligence enabled them to make the seizures through rigorous, round-the-clock patrol and surveillance operations.
Six trucks, 31 compressors, 19 motorcycles (Means of Conveyance), 8,517 bales, 219 sacs of used apparel, 3,629 pieces of old tires, and 4,700 bags of cement were also seized.
Also confiscated were 191 units of vehicle compressors, 2,250 packets of tramadol, 277 pairs, 320 sacs and 120 cartons of foreign shoes.
He said “It is important to note at this juncture that activities embarked upon by the command are patriotic-driven and are in the interest of economic development and national security. Nigeria Customs Service operatives, armed with that awareness, will continue to carry out their legitimate duties as prescribed by law.
“In the wake of anti-smuggling operations conducted in the period under review in different parts of Ogun State, including the creeks, border lines, approved and unapproved routes, the command seizures include 44,933 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each, an equivalent of 73 trailer loads.
“Vehicles used as means of conveyance, 99 units; foreign used vehicles (tokunbo): eight units including one the year 2020 grey colour Wrangler Jeep with chassis no IC4HJXDN6LW161538; six units of used trucks as means of conveyance.
“31 units of compressors; 16,224 kegs of premium motor spirit (PMS); 19 units of motorcycles (means of conveyance); 8 517 bales and 219 sacs of secondhand clothing; 3,629 pieces of used tyres; 4,700 bags of cement; three bales and 384 pieces of used bags; 41 sacs and 940 wraps of cannabis sativa (book and coconut sizes);
“Also 170 cartons of poultry products; 191 units of vehicle compressors; 2,250 packets of tramadol; 222 units of refrigerator compressors; 220 pieces and 867 cartons of foreign wine; 277 pairs, 320 sacks and 120 cartons of foreign shoes; 89 bales and 485 pieces of foreign textile; 302 sacs of foreign corn.
“The total DPV of the above items is four billion, eight hundred and eighty-six million, six hundred and forty-seven thousand, six hundred and fifty-four Naira, ninety-two kobo (N4,886,647,634.92).
“We were able to record the above-mentioned seizures with intensive round-the-clock surveillance and patrol activities, aided by effective deployment of intelligence.”
