Custom seizes goods worth N4.88bln in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, says it has seized goods worth N4.88 billion between Feb. and Dec.6 in the state.

The Area Comptroller, Bamidele Makinde, made this known during a press conference in Idiroko, Ogun, on Wednesday.

Makinde said that the command, during the period under review, recorded a total of 842 seizures, which included 44,933 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, equivalent of 73 trailer loads.

He listed some of the items seized to include 736 sacks of second-hand clothing, 3,629 pieces of used tyres, 4,700 bags of cement, 3 bales and 384 pieces of used bags, 41 sacks and 940 wraps of Cannabis Sativa (book and coconut sizes).

Others are 170 cartons of poultry products, 191 units of vehicle compressors, 2,250 packets of Tramadol and 222 units of refrigerator compressors.

Also seized were 220 pieces and 867 cartons of foreign wine, 277 pairs, 320 sacks and 120 cartons of foreign shoes; 89 bales and 485 pieces of foreign textile as well as 302 sacks of foreign corn.

He said that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items is N4.88 billion.

Makinde added that the command also generated N58.67 million in the period under review.

The NCS boss said the command recorded the seizures as a result of intensive round-the-clock surveillance and patrol activities and effective deployment of intelligence.

“The command conducts its anti-smuggling activities through deployment of personnel to man all the approved border stations.

“We use intelligence to aid our operations and these are done in accordance with various sections of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

“Section 147 of CEMA Cap C45 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, empowers customs operatives to search premises and these premises are those suspected to have been used to conceal or store smuggled, prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods.

“Section 167 also gives us power to detain and make seizure aside other powers,” he said.

The NCS boss said that revenue was equally generated from importation and exportation of goods under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and assessment of merchandise in baggage.

He said the command also generated revenue from auction sales of perishable or highly combustible goods such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Makinde commended critical stakeholders like the traditional rulers, community leaders and other security agencies for their continuous support and collaboration with the command.