N64m Range Rover, others seized by Ogun Customs

Tayo Afolabi I

The Ogun State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded a 2018/2019 model Range Rover with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N64.2 million.

The vehicle was among 51 smuggled vehicles the command said it seized between May 2nd and June 4th.

Controller of the command, Comptroller Michael Agbara, who briefed journalists at the Idiroko border on Tuesday, said the Range Rover, which was seized based on a tip-off was the second of such seizure this year.

Apart from the vehicles, Agbara said other seizures made from smugglers within the period included 5, 103 bags of foreign rice, 135 kegs of vegetable oil of 25 litres each, 33 bags of sugar, and seven bales of second-hand clothing.

Others are 36 sacks and 300 pairs of foot wears, 129 pieces of used tyres, 102 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) of 25 litres each and a sack of ladies handbags with a total DPV of N370.8 million.

He added that the command generated total revenue of N437.8 million within the review period.

The Customs boss noted that the successes recorded by the command notwithstanding, the fight against smuggling calls for concerted effort from traditional rulers and support from the media.

He used the opportunity to appeal to community leaders to discourage their wards that indulge and perceive smuggling as a legitimate way of livelihood.

Agbara also disclosed that 6, 750 bags of rice of 50kg each, 610 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 59 bags of sugar of 50kg each, 326 bales of second-hand clothing, 100 cartons and 5703 pairs of different forms of shoes among other items would soon be evacuated from both Abeokuta and Idiroko Government warehouses by the Nigeria Army Corps of Supply and Transport for onward delivery to IDPs in Borno State.