Oyo/Osun Customs command generates N4.8 billion in 2021

In a press statement made available to our correspondent by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kayode Wey, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmed Abdulkadir said that the command made a series of detentions and seizures amounting to a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N393,420,494 (Three Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Four Naira) only between November, 2020 and January, 2021.

Among the items seized by the command include, kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), cannabis sativa, foreign parboiled rice, used clothes,used tyres, imported vehicles, among others.

Parts of the release read, “January is a slow month but with the expertise, meticulousness and sense of observation of the excise officers, the Command was able to collect N4,895,772,769.90 (Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Five Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira, ninety kobo) for the month of January 2021.

“Between 19th November 2020 and 31st January 2021, the Command has made a series of detentions and seizures amounting to a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N393,420,494 (Three Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Four Naira) only.

“Within the period under review, the command made seizures of Two Hundred and Twenty (220 x 25ltrs each) kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (otherwise known as Petrol). Upon approval from the Headquarters, they would be auctioned and proceeds would be remitted accordingly and accounted for.

“The Command, through its eagle eyes have also been able to sniff 20kg of Cannabis Sativa packed in a 20kg bag with Duty Paid Value of  ₦4,526,063.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand,  Sixty-Three Naira). This would be subsequently handed over to the  National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further action.

Other seizures include: 3,052 bags of foreign parboiled rice with DPV of ₦124,477,488.00  (One Hundred and Twenty-Four Million, Four Hundred and  Seventy-Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira).
 8 x 25ltrs each of Vegetable Oil with DPV of ₦217,251.00 (Two Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-One  Naira).

60 bales of Second Hand Clothings (Okrika) with DPV of  ₦15,030,143.00 (Fifteen Million, Thirty Thousand, One Hundred
and Forty-Three Naira).

246 pieces of Used Tyres with DPV of ₦2,698,866.00 (Two Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred
and Sixty-Six Naira).

8 units of Toyota Camry (2020 Models) with DPV of ₦211,541,320.00 (Two Hundred and Eleven Million, Five Hundred and Forty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Naira).
 1 used Toyota Highlander (2019 Model) with DPV of ₦33,710,363.00 (Thirty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Ten
Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-Three Naira).

10 units of Motorcycles used as means of conveyance for smuggling of rice with DPV of ₦1,219,000.00 (One Million, Two
Hundred and Nineteen Thousand Naira).

“Within this period, one (1) used Mercedes Benz ML350 (2014 Model) has been apprehended and placed under detention pending provision of customs document.

“There were two (2) suspects arrested during this period. However, they have been granted bail pending determination of their cases.

Comptroller Abdulkadir adduced the success recorded to the experience, resilience and vigilance of officers of the command.

He also a knowledged the assistance and contributions of the Customs Intelligence Unit, Federal Operations Unit, Strike Force,
Customs Police and Joint Border Patrol Team to the achievements as well as sister agencies such as the Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, Oyo State Operation Burst, Amotekun have not gone unnoticed.

The Customs boss also appreciated 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 properly.