The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, has arrested 25 suspected smugglers and seized a total of 1,400 bags of fertilizer.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Uche Ngozi disclosed this on Tuesday in Ibadan while briefing journalists on the activities of the command from July to Oct. 10.
Ngozi said that the bags of fertilizer were seized because it did not have end users documents, adding “fertilizer are not only used for farming but also used for explosives and has security implications.’’
Other seizures made by the command within the months under review include 265 gallons of 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 2,270 bags (50kg) of imported rice.
Also seized were 20 kegs of 25 litres of vegetable oil, 60 bales of second hand clothing and 314 units of used tyres.
She said that the suspected smugglers, who were conveying the seized goods concealed in 11 vehicles and 12 motorcycles, were intercepted at different parts of its area of operation by her vigilant personnel.
The Customs Area Controller said that the vehicles comprised five Mazda cars , a Volkswagen car, three Toyota Micra, a Suzuki bus, one DAF truck, and 12 motorcycles had been impounded.
She said that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the goods seized between July and Oct. 10 stood at N152,861,269 million.
Ngozi said that the command also generated N39.990,033,122 billion between January and September 2020.
“The Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command has generated N39,990,033,122 as at the end of September 2020, out of the N62, 848,,518,366 target for the 2020 fiscal year.’’
She said that the figure was an increase of 33.3 per cent in revenue when compared with the amount collected between January and September 2019.
“The command has 33.3 per cent increase in its revenue collection in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The command shall strive to achieve the balance of the target before the end of the 2020 fiscal year.
” It is my pleasure to inform you that we have not lost sight of the very important function of the fight against smuggling.
“We have sharpened our intelligence, re-strategised, created new patrol teams and drawn a more robust ’Area of Responsibility Chart’ to combat these illicit activities,’’ she said.
The comptroller said that the achievement recorded were made possible by the resilient and vigilant officers of the command.
” I also acknowledge the cooperation of the traditional rulers, community leaders, stakeholders and the good people of Oyo and Osun states in identifying and providing enabling environment for the officers to function effectively,” Ngozi said
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