Oyo customs command intercepts smuggled petrol, others

The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, said it intercepted different contrabands including 8,850 litres of petrol and 168 sacks of fake medicament between August and September 2024.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Dr Ben Oramalugo, added that within the period under review, the command collected N23.9bn as revenue.

He said the figure represents a 27.5 per cent increase when compared with the sum of N17.3bn generated in the corresponding period of 2023.

Oramalugo stated that revenue underscored the command’s commitment to efficient revenue collection through improved compliance, enforcement, and monitoring.

“Cumulatively, for the period covering January to September 2024, the command has generated the sum of N56.6bn. This also reflects a 7.85 per cent increase when compared to the sum of N52.2bn generated in the corresponding period of January to September 2023,” Oramalugo.

He said that the significant success recorded in revenue collection is a remarkable achievement despite the current financial strains affecting businesses and citizens alike.

Oramalugo explained that the revenue generated reflects the resilience and dedication of command officers in ensuring strict compliance with customs laws and regulations while facilitating legitimate trade.

He stressed that the service recognizes its pivotal role in the nation’s economic recovery and is committed to continuing an upward trajectory in revenue generation.

“The bulk of this revenue came from legitimate production activities by excise factories within the command‘s area of responsibility and the officers have ensured thorough documentation checks to avoid any revenue leakages,” he said.

Giving details of the interceptions, the CAC mentioned that within the period under review, the command intercepted, 433 bags of foreign rice of 50kg each, 61 bales of second-hand clothing, 93 pieces of used tyres, 49 sacks of cannabis weighing, 744.9kg.

“Other contrabands include, 8,850 litres of premium motor spirit, 46 cartons of analgin injection, 68 sacks of amoxicillin capsule, three cartons of Buscomat tablet, six sacks of Juscopan tablets, five sacks of Chloramphenicol tablet, 11 sacks of Ampiclox Capsules, 11 sacks of Arthromether Tablets, two sacks of fulcin tablets, 13 packets of pentazocine injection,” he added.

The CAC stated that the duty paid value of the seized contrabands was N755m.

The Oyo/Osun customs boss said the command would be handing over fake pharmaceutical drugs valued at N596m to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as 49 sacks of cannabis sativa valued at N46.9m to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Oramalugo emphasized that the command’s intensified border patrols along the Oyo and Osun Axis have significantly disrupted smuggling operations, with 31 successful interceptions of goods being smuggled through illegal routes.

He stated that the command’s enhanced use of technology has streamlined the processes and increased transparency adding that it has led to improved compliance from the command stakeholders.

Oramalugo attributed the anti-smuggling operations to the increased use of intelligence gathering and collaboration with local communities.

He also said that they have strengthened our network of informants, which has been instrumental in identifying and neutralizing smuggling operations within the region.