Customs impounds 37 truckloads of rice, makes N93m revenue
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some 37 truckloads of smuggled foreign rice were impounded by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in different parts of Ogun in the first half of the year to June (H1 2023).
NCS Ogun 1 Area Comptroller Bamidele Makinde disclosed in Idiroko the command also garnered N93,301,000,000.130 revenue from import duties, auction sales of petrol and scrap vehicles seized from smugglers.
The command seized 173,975 litres of petrol, equivalent to five tankers, he added.
Makinde said:
- Five exotic luxury buses allegedly smuggled through the Ohumbe land border were also seized
- Area Customs revenue rose toH1 2023 N29,940 million in H1 2023 or by 310 per cent compared with H 12022
- 392 seizures were made with the cumulative Duty Payable Value (DPV) of N1,313,628,488
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Other seizures
Per Vanguard reporting, Makinde listed other seizures to include
- 5,048 pieces of used tyres
- 390 bales of used clothing
- 61 units of vehicles, including five luxury buses
- 173,975 litres of petrol
- 107 sacks of cannabis sativa
- 1,595 wraps of cannabis sativa
- 194 cartons of codeine syrup
- 22,526 bags of foreign rice of 50 kg each (equivalent to 37 truckloads)
“Customs remains resolute in our fight against smuggling of rice and other illegal items to encourage local production in line with the federal government’s policy to promote local production,” Makinde stressed.
He explained the command achieved this “remarkable result” due to continuous stakeholders’ engagement, deployment of intelligence, improved discipline, and total dedication to duty by officers.
“As part of our stakeholders’ engagement,” he explained, “we maintained a robust synergy with our sister security agencies and cordial community relations with our host communities.
“While waging war against die-hard smugglers, we urged them to embrace legitimate trade and steer clear of smuggling and other nefarious activities that are inimical to the economic development of our dear nation.
“We encouraged compliant traders by operating an open door policy and creating an enabling environment for trade to thrive.”
