Estimated reading time: 14 minute(s)
Fawaz Adebisi
The Ogun 1 Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service says it arrested 15 suspected smugglers and generated N97,887,77.50 from 957 seizures made in 2022.
The Customs Area Controller, Bamidele Makinde said this on Thursday, at Idi-Iroko,at a press briefing on the year 2022 annual activities of the command in the state.
Makinde said the suspected smugglers were arrested at different locations and exit points within Ogun State with prohibited goods.
According to him, the suspects were granted administrative hail and had yet to be charged to court while some others had been charged to Court for prosecution.
He disclosed that 95% of smugglers escaped during operations in 2022, adding that 15 suspected smugglers were arrested.
He explained that there would have been bloodshed if the force had pursued the smugglers and didn’t allow them to leave.
Speaking on the seizures made in 2022, Makinde said the seizures represented almost 300% increase of the 2021 revenue, which he put at N36,655,401.50.
He explained that the revenue was generated from sales of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol products and baggage assessment of some items brought in from neighbouring countries.
He said, the command arrested 15 suspected smugglers. They were arrested at different locations and exit points within Ogun State with prohibited goods.
“While some of them were granted administrative hail and have yet to be charged to court some were charged to Court for prosecution,” he added.
“The total revenue generated by the Command was N97,887,777,50. This was realized from auction sales of Petroleum products and baggage assessment of some items brought in from neighbouring countries.
” It is pertinent to state that the revenue generated in 2022 (N97,887,777.50) represented almost 300% increase on the year 2021 revenue (N36,655,401.50).”
On Suppression of Smuggling, “the Anti-Smuggling activities of the command yielded a good result with the record of 957 seizures. These seizures include 45,773 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, which is equivalent to 76 trailer loads, and 130 units of vehicles.
“These comprise smuggled foreign used vehicles and other vehicles used as means of conveying prohibited items. Other seizures recorded during the period under review include the following: Premium Motor Spirit (PMS): 451,100liters which is an equivalent of 14 Tanker loads; Adulterated Diesel: One Tanker load; Cannabis Sativa: 43 Sacks, 351 small bags and 1,083 wraps of Book and Coconut sizes; Tramadol: 2,250 packets; Motorcycles used for conveyance of prohibited items: 30 Units; Secondhand clothing 517 bales and 236 sacks and Foreign Used Bags: three bales and 384 pieces.”
“Others are; Foreign Used Tyres: 2,953 pieces; Used Refrigerator Compressors: 31 pieces; Bags of Dangote Cement used for concealment of foreign rice. 4700 bags; Frozen Poultry products: 1,523 cartons; Foreign textile: 89 bales and 485 pieces; Vehicle compressors: 401 Units Foreign shoes: 320 sacks, 120 cartons and 277 pairs; Foreign Wine: 520cartons and 220pieces; Foreign corn: 302 sacks.
“The command, besides the above seizures, also arrested 15 suspected smugglers.
“They were arrested at different locations and exit points within Ogun State with prohibited goods. While some of them were granted administrative hail and have yet to be charged to court some were charged to Court for prosecution,” he added.
He also mentioned that the total Duty Payable Value, DPV, of the seizures is N5,088,982,569.92, which is 269% higher than that of last year, N1,378,276,656.00, with a difference of N3,710,705,913.92.
He said, “the total Duty Payable Value (DPV) of the above seizures is N5,088,982,569.92, while that of the year 2021 was N1,378,276,656.00 a differential of N3,710,705,913.92 which is about 269% higher. We were able to record the above seizures with the continuous use of intelligence in our operations and synergy with sister security agencies.
Speaking on the relationship the force has with traditional rulers, he said “the command maintains a good Community Relations with the Traditional Rulers, Community leaders and the Youths, among others. We also maintain condial relationship and synergy with sister agencies across the State.”
Speaking on the challenges the force faced during the year, Makinde the force lost one of it’s officers to a ghastly accident along Ebute axis of Yewa North Local Government Area.
He said, “on a very sad note, however, I wish to inform you that during the last quarter of the year 2022, the Command lost an officer to a ghastly motor accident While on duty at Ebute axis of Yewa North LGA in Ogun State, the officer was seated with other officers at their patrol base and a Toyota Avalon Saloon Car driven by one Mr Idris ran into the officers, knocking down 2 of them in the process.”
He however said the force would continue to carry out their duties for the development of the state economic and security.
He therefore appreciated the supports of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hamood Ibrahim Ali (rd), traditional rulers, community leaders, and other security agencies who are collaborating with the Command.
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