The Oyo Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service has announced a total collection of ₦71,292,530,398.17 as revenue for 2023.
Dr. Ben Oramalugo, Customs Area Controller of the command who disclosed this to newsmen in Ibadan, gave a breakdown of the collection which was recorded at various times of last year.
Comptroller Oramalugo said During the period covering November and December 2023, when he assumed office at Ibadan the Command collected the sum of ₦5,030,694,597.05 and ₦7,173,852,130.48 respectively into the Federation and Non-Federation Accounts. When added to the sum of ₦59,087,983,670.64 already collected for the period of January to October , the cumulative sum of ₦71,292,530,398.17 was collected for the fiscal year of 2023.
On anti smuggling,Oramalugo said the command made seizures of prohibited items from smugglers valued at ₦454,235,559
Oramalugo said “this significant contribution to the Nation’s economic development, despite the global and local challenges that impacted trade, was made possible through fair and efficient revenue collection, continuous implementation of measures to further simplify customs processes and the resolve of Command Officers and Men to work tirelessly while religiously enforcing provisions of our new extant laws (NCS ACT 2023) aimed at facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that customs duties and taxes were collected efficiently.
“Our commitment to combating smuggling activities has remained unwavering in 2023 and during the period under review, the Oyo/Osun Area Command has intensified efforts to curb illicit trade, safeguard national security and protect local industries from unfair competition. With the use of Coordinated Border Management, Intelligence-driven Risk Management and continuous Patrol/Enforcement Operations, we conducted numerous successful patrol operations that led to the interception and seizure of many contraband goods” the Controller said.
According to him during the period of 11th November to 31 December 2023 the Command intercepted and seized the following contraband goods including
Used bags,1 Bale, 2 Sacks worth N480,000.00;
Used Shoes,7 Bales, 2 Sacks worth N2,760,000; Motor Vehicle,3 Units worth N29,500,000.00;
Cannabis Sativa,12 Sacks, 4 Wraps worth N1,699,740.00 and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),11,850 litres(474 kegs of 25 litre )worth 6,668,200.00.
Other seizures made between November and December include Used Tyres,1,341 Pieces worth 4,827,600; Used Belt,2 Bales worth N480,000;Foreign Parboiled Rice,194 (50 kg Bags) worth N8,393,000;Used Clothing,114 Bales, 2 Sacks worth N41,160,000.00 Totaling N 95,968,540.
The Controller said when the above figure is added to the worth of contraband goods already seized between January to October 2023, with a DPV of ₦358,267,019 the cumulative sum of ₦454,235,559 is the DPV of contraband goods intercepted and seized for the year of 2023.
He added that the milestone recorded by the Command was made possible through timely sharing of credible intelligence and synergy between all Units of the Nigeria Customs Service resident within Oyo and Osun States.
He also commended the collaborative effort of other security agencies with the command such as the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Operation Burst and Amotekun Corps
On technology integration, Oramalugo said the Command will expand the use of advanced technology, including Data analytics and artificial intelligence, to enhance its intelligence gathering and enforcement capability while expressing commitment to building upon the successes of the past year and addressing the challenges of 2024 with renewed vigor.
