Oramalugo Lauds CGC Adewale's effort

as Oyo/Osun Command records good scorecard 

...Generates N11.7B revenue, intercepts Contrabands in 8 weeks, 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Comptroller Ben Oramalugo has expressed sincere gratitude towards Comptroller General of Customs(CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his efforts in ensuring the realization of the Command's mandate in area of suppressing smuggling.

Comptroller Oramalugo extolled the virtues of the CGC at the maiden press briefing organized by the Command today, Friday November 10, 2023, to announce the milestones achieved by the Command.

He said the CGC made provisions for operational vehicles to the Command, leveraged on inspiration and also supported the Command in all ramifications.

Speaking on the scorecard of the Command, Comptroller Ben disclosed that between September 18th 2023 and October 31st 2023, the Command through its rigorous enforcement measures and strategic initiatives contributed to the economic growth of the Nation by collecting the Sum of ₦11,679,732,583.91k (Eleven Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Three Naira, Ninety One Kobo) as revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government.

With this, the Command has added to the revenue collected from January to August 2023, amounting to 59,087,983,670.64k (Fifty Nine Billion, and Eighty Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Naira, Sixty Four Kobo).

He added that this feat was made possible with the commitment  to prioritize trade facilitation.

His words ,"We religiously enforce provisions of our extant laws aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, implement various measures to simplify Customs processes, reduce bureaucracy within the system with the aim of promoting legitimate trade and foster a conducive business environment for Excise traders operating within the Command’s Area of Responsibility."

On anti smuggling operations, the Controller stressed that the synergy with sister agencies in the state contributed greatly in achieving desired results as series of interceptions were made.

Also, the timely sharing of credible intelligence and effective collaboration and synergy between all Units of Nigeria Customs Service resident between Oyo and Osun States. (Federal Operations Unit, Border Drill) added value to the Command's score card.

To him, the Command successfully intercepted Sixty Four (64) Sacks and One Hundred and Fifty (150) compressed Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) from various axis within the Command’s Area of Responsibility. 

The said illegal substance weighing a total of 777.5kg would be handed over to Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) on Friday November 10 2023.

Other seized items include -1,248(50kg) Bags of Rice, 425(25litres) kegs of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS), 24 bales of used clothings and 1 bale of used bags, 492 pieces of Used tyres, one Dane gun, among others.

Western Marine Customs Confiscates Marijuana, Contrabands Worth N923.8M

 ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has confiscated sacks of cannabis, contrabands valued at nine hundred and twenty three million, seven hundred and ninety four thousand naira only (N923,794,000) between  August and October 2023.

In a communique made available today by spokesperson for the Command, Mailafiya Magaji, 17 sacks containing 1,199 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), totaling 663.5kg were intercepted between September and October 2023. 

The rigorous border enforcement and regulatory activities by men and officers of the Command, which is in line with the primary mandate outlined in section 4 of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, led to the arrest and seizure of the illegal goods.

"These arrests were conducted along Moba waterways and Sanki Beach Axis on the 31st of August 2023 and 4th of October 2023, respectively.

"Under the leadership of Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, the Command also apprehended 66,000 capsules of 225mg Tramadol and 1,257 sacks of foreign parboiled rice, collectively exceeding a duty paid value of 50 million Naira.

"In a related development, the Command seized 3,750 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during two separate arrests on the 27th of October 2023.

"It is noteworthy that in August 2023, Officers of the Western Marine Command seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) which is promptly handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the 7th of September, 2023.

"The cumulative value of the ten seizures conducted by the WMC from August to October 2023 amounts to N923,794,000 Naira only," the statement read.

Speaking on the seizures, Comptroller Salefu emphasized that it's imperative for the general public to respect and adhere to government fiscal policies, prohibitions, and restrictions.

"These measures are in place to safeguard national security, foster economic growth, and contribute to the overall progress of Nigeria," he said.