Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, newly deployed Customs Area Controller of Kebbi Command has made seizures of smuggled petroleum products and other items worth N91, 518, 928 within 2 weeks of assuming office.
Dr. Oramalugo who disclosed this at his maiden press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday said the command recorded fourteen (14) seizures of assorted items which include 8,975 litres of PMS loaded in 25-litre kegs;189 bags of foreign parboiled rice;71 bags of imported sugar;42 bales of second hand clothing and 36 sacks of used shoes.
Other seizures include 74 cartons of bleaching cream;110 Solar Batteries;
105 Cartons of medicine ;7 used vehicles as means conveyance
and 1 tanker truck under detention which is suspected to have been smuggled into the country in contravention of Federal government extant policy, prohibiting importation of vehicles through land borders.
The new CAC said the feat was achieved following his directive to his officers to intensify patrol across bushes and all the waterways within Kebbi State immediately he took over.
On safe disposal of the seized petroleum products, Oramalugo said “The seized PMS is going to be auctioned immediately after this briefing. It is disheartening that in spite of the humongous amount paid by government to make PMS available to citizens at reasonable price, some unscrupulous citizens choose to divert the product to our neighbouring countries for their selfish financial benefits.
“The Command is equipped with all logistics provided by the management of the Service under the able leadership of Col. Hamid Ibraheem Ali (Rtd) to carry out duty as enshrined in Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP C45 LFN, 2004.
Specifically, section 167 gives us the power to seize goods improperly imported in contravention of extant laws.
“We engage in anti smuggling activities to protect our local industries and strengthen the nation’s border security. This is to prevent the influx of goods harmful to our health and the economy.
“As part of our mandate we will create an avenue where only permissible goods from other neighbouring countries and our indigenous goods will be traded without hindrance to achieve and even surpass the Command’s set target for the year 2023.
He thanked other sister government agencies for their support and cooperation with the NCS Kebbi command towards promoting national economy and security
