The Oyo/ Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it generated a total revenue of N72.5billion between January and November 2024.
Controller of the Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo PhD who announced this at a press briefing in Ibadan on Friday said the figure represents an increase of 13.17% when compared to the sum of N64.1billion collected in the same period of 2023.
He added that in the months of October and November 2024, the sum of N15billion was collected. The amount he said represents an increase of 33.57% when compared to the sum of N11.9billion collected in the same period of 2023.
He said the achievement is a testament to officers’ diligence, enhanced enforcement of customs laws and improved trade facilitation measures by the command.
He noted that by adopting modern trade facilitation tools and promoting transparency, the Command has strengthened compliance among excise stakeholders, ensuring that revenue leakages are effectively curtailed, as the revenue collected contributes significantly to national development and supports the Federal Government’s economic agenda.
In addition to revenue collection, Oramaulugo said between 30th October to 19th December 2024,
the command intercepted prohibited items with a Duty Paid Value of ₦370.7 million.
He said, “The Oyo/Osun Area Command has also intensified its efforts in Safeguarding Lives and Protecting Local Industries. The anti-smuggling operation strategies already deployed has the festive season approaches, would leave no stone unturned to safeguarding lives of citizens, facilitating legitimate trade, securing local industries and ensuring compliance with laws.
“I would like to emphasize that these seizures underscore the Command’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring compliance with fiscal and trade policies.
Giving a breakdown of the seized prohibited items, he said they include 110 (50Kg) Bags bags of foreign parboiled rice, 4000 packs of foreign Macaroni, 377 (25 litre kegs) totaling: 9425 litres
Premium Motor Spirit, and 111 Bales of
second Hand Clothing.
Others are 348 piieces of used tyres, banned and unlicensed pharmaceuticals and 50 cartons of Chloroquine Injection among others.
“It is important to note that the enforcement of these seizures aligns with section 245 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which highlights the provision for the seizure, detention and condemnation of prohibited goods, as well as Schedules 3 (Import Prohibition) and Schedule 4 (Absolute Prohibition) of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) that provides a list of prohibited items, ” he said.
The Customs boss stressed that the dangers posed by these smuggling activities cannot be overstated, as they not only compromise public health but also stifle the growth of local industries and deprive the government of much-needed revenue for infrastructure and development projects.
He said the seized pharmaceuticals would be handed over to the National Agency For Food and Drugs Administration and Control ( NAFDAC) for further investigation.
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