The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, confiscated contraband goods with a duty paid value of N165.3 million in February.
The Area Controller, Joseph Adelaja, made this known on Friday in Ibadan while briefing newsmen on the command’s achievement for February.
Adelaja, who assumed duty on February 7, said the area command intercepted and seized several high-profile smuggling consignments.
He listed the seizures to include 1,043 bags of foreign rice of 50 kg each; 452 pieces of used tyres; two bales of used clothes, and 233 kegs of 25 litres each of petrol.
“The interception and seizure of these prohibited and uncustomed items have prevented the illegal inflow of products that undermine local industries, particularly rice farmers and manufacturers in the region.
“The interception of prohibited foreign parboiled rice has led to the increase in production and consumption of the local rice in Oyo and Osun States respectively,” Adelaja said.
The area controller reiterated the command’s commitment to its core mandates of revenue collection and anti-smuggling operations.
According to him, the command recorded N2,048,487,969 as revenue for February, explaining that the revenue reflected the diligence and efficiency of the command’s officers and men.
He added that the area command has made significant strides in curbing smuggling activities, safeguarding the nation’s economy and protecting local industries from the harmful effects of illicit trade.
