Customs intercepts smuggled products worth over N344m in Ogun

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command said its operatives have intercepted smuggled goods worth over N344 million in the past two months.

The Comptroller of the Area Command, Godwin Otunla, revealed this on Wednesday.

Otunla who spoke during a press briefing at the Area Command in Idiroko border said the command has intensified its efforts to stop smuggling of prohibited products into the country.

Otunla while highlighting the command’s achievements in border security and anti-smuggling efforts listed the seized items to include 1,037 parcels of cannabis sativa, 2 units of dane guns, 88 rounds of live cartridges, 13,125 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), and 2,627 bags of foreign parboiled rice.

He added that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stands at N344,853,244.

Otunla noted that the command also generated N42,279,240 in revenue, an increase from N10,621,250 generated prior to his assumption of duty.

He also formally handed over the seized cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the seized arms and ammunition to the Nigerian Police Force during the press briefing.

Otunla commended the officers and men of Ogun 1 Area Command for their dedication and patriotism, and expressed his appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his dynamic leadership and support.

The Comptroller warned smugglers and their collaborators to steer clear of Ogun 1 Command, emphasizing the NCS’s commitment to national development and security.

He reaffirmed the command’s unwavering resolve to sustain its momentum in border security and anti-smuggling efforts.

Commander Ekundayo O Williams who received the sized Cannabis Sativa on behalf of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency command commended the efforts of the NCS.

Also, the Police Area Commander, Idiroko, Bukoye Oye acknowledged the receipt of the ammunition.