By Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service Ogun 1 Area Command, Mohammed Shuaib, has declared that the command will adopt a tougher stance and intensify its fight against smuggling and other economic sabotage activities across the land borders in the state.
Shuaib made this declaration while briefing newsmen on the scorecard of the command in 2024 at the Idiroko Border Post.
He noted that although operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command worked round the clock last year to curtail the smuggling of prohibited goods into the country through the state, the command is ready to offer even tougher resistance to smugglers and their contraband.
The Customs boss stated that the huge seizures of prohibited goods and other achievements recorded by the command last year are a testament to the commitment of the men and officers of Ogun 1 Area Command in combating smuggling activities, protecting the economy, and safeguarding the well-being of society.
Shuaib disclosed that in the concluded fiscal year 2024, the command generated a total revenue of N275,835,406.
He explained that the revenue was generated from baggage assessment and proceeds from auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and vehicles.
He also noted that total prohibited items seized last year included:
16,712 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice
139,881 litres of PMS
940 live ammunition
71 sacks and 3,253 parcels of cannabis sativa
586 bales of used clothing
86 units of vehicles used for conveyance
18 units of foreign used vehicles
2,150 used pneumatic tyres
760 pieces of donkey skin
3,766 cartons of frozen poultry products
85 bags of imported flour
Shuaib placed the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items at N1,267,504,035.
He, however, informed newsmen that between 1 and 27 January, the command seized:
2,002 bags of smuggled rice (50kg each)
6,180 pieces of cutlasses
6,375 litres of PMS, among other items
The intercepted items during this period brought the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) to N77,476,185.
The Customs Area Controller added that the seized 1,019 parcels of coconut size, 28 parcels of book size, and 140 parcels of bread size of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) will be handed over to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, as part of inter-agency collaboration.
According to him, “Handing over the seized substances is in line with our commitment to strengthening partnerships with other security agencies to combat drug trafficking and ensure a safer society.”
While commending the bravery and professionalism of the men and officers of the command in achieving these successes, Shuaib expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support and encouragement.
“It is my pleasure to also commend the officers and men of the Ogun 1 Area Command for their resilience, professionalism, and dedication to duty. Your hard work and commitment have been instrumental in achieving these milestones. I equally extend my profound gratitude to our esteemed stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and the media for your continued support and collaboration.
“I urge the general public to join hands with the Nigeria Customs Service by providing timely and credible information to help us combat smuggling and other economic crimes. Together, we can build a prosperous nation where compliance is the norm, and criminality has no place,” Shuaib concluded.