The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Oyo/Osun Command says it has generated N15,890,489,479.26 for the country, from February 1 to April 30, 2021.
The Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Adamu Abdulkadir, stated this on Thursday, at its Headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan, Capital of Oyo State.
Giving a report of the activities of the Command within the period, Abdulkadir said; ”the amount is the cumulative of import duty from bonded terminals, excise duty from factories under excise net, auction fees and all other ancillary charges into both federation and non-federation accounts.”
He further revealed that ”the Command also impounded 221 cartons of imported dry fish with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N20,427,291 and another nine sacks of imported dry fish with DPV of N10,971.”
Imported fish
The cartons and bags of fish were being imported to Nigeria from Gambia through the borders of Oyo State. A carton that was opened for journalists was filled with dry tilapia fish.
Abdulkadir, however, said ”there was no need to import such fish at a time that the Nigerian Government has not opened the borders of the state to such trade.
Customs Area Comptroller said the Oyo/Osun Command told Journalists that they also confiscated 3,311 bags of foreign parboiled rice of N50kg each, with DPV of N89,309,324 and 487 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) of 25 litres each, with DPV of N2,906,775.
Also confiscated by the Command were nine sacks of Cannabis Sativa with DPV of N1,440,180; six bales of used shoes with DPV of N288,294; 10 gallons of vegetable oil of 10 litres each, with DPV of N1,903,710; another 572 gallons of vegetable oil of 2.5litres each with DPV of N2,367,222; 21 bales of second-hand clothing with DPV of N4,945,020, as well as a used DAF truck, with DPV of N11,878529, totaling N134,477,316.
Commendation
Abdulkadir showered encomiums on the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde for his magnanimity and support in the donation of two units of JAC LHD 4×4 Pick Up truck to enhance the operations of the Command in keeping the borders safe.
He stated: “We have carried out our enforcement and anti-smuggling activities with utmost professionalism, caution and intelligence. We urge the public to cooperate with the Nigeria Customs Service in the implementation of government fiscal policies to help improve the economic and social welfare of the nation.”
“The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col Ibrahim Hameed Ali (rtd) has directed more stringent measures to further strengthen the interception capabilities of customs officers in corroboration with the extant laws and regulations, guiding import and export procedures of the country, while reiterating that the Oyo and Osun states borders remain closed to any form of inward or outward trade,” the Area Comptroller asserted.
Abdulkadir also read the riot act to the people that have been blocking or attacking and preventing the officers of the Command from making required arrests and seizures in their communities.
He added that the miscreants would be arrested and prosecuted under Section 11 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA, Cap C45 LFN 2004.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
