…Collects N437m revenue, N370m seizures
To strengthen its anti smuggling operations, management of Nigeria Customs Service has provided an amoured personnel carrier to the Ogun Command of the service.
Michael Agbara, Customs Area Controller of the command disclosed this to newsmen at Idiroko border where he showed recent seizures of smuggled items.
Agbara who said the vehicle will enhance his command’s operational profile, declared total war against smugglers and perpetrators of other economic crimes like evasion of duty payment and effectively managing attacks from suspected smugglers and their sympathizers.
Agbara informed that within a month, from May 2 to June 4, 2018 the command collected a total of N437,860,681 as revenue and made seizures of 43 vehicles.
A breakdown of the seized vehicles indicates that 19 units were seized directly while 32 were seized as means of conveyance carrying other seized woods.
He also described the seizure of a 2018 model of Range Rover with a duty paid value of over N64 million as the seizure of the month reassuring that his men will do more in the fight against smuggling.
Other seizures he showed to newsmen includes 135 kegs of 25 liters vegetable oil, 33 bags of sugar, second hand clothing, 300 pairs of footwear, 129 pieces of used tyres and 102 kegs of vegetable oil,102 kegs of petrol; 129 pieces of used tyres and 129 pieces of used tyres.Other seizures includes102 kegs of petrol,102 kegs of petrol.
”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.
“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.
”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.”
Agbara added: “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.
”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.”