By correspondent in Abeokuta.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Area Command has successfully seized contraband goods valued at a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N279,595,038 between January and February 2025.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the Area Controller, disclosed this at a press conference in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Among the seized items, according to him,were 2,145 bags of foreign rice (equivalent to four trailer loads), 612 bales of second-hand clothing, and 843 used tyres.
He added that the command also confiscated 6,625 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as well as significant quantities of cannabis sativa, including 1,057 parcels in coconut sizes, 159 parcels in bread sizes, 2,074 parcels in book sizes, and 75 sacks.
Shuaibu emphasized that the NCS Act of 2024, specifically Sections 6, 212, 226, 233, and 245, grants officers the power to patrol freely, seize smuggled and illegal goods, and access premises.
He also revealed that the command generated N9,694,072 in revenue through baggage assessment and the auction of Premium Motor Spirit.
“This accomplishment is the result of implemented strategies that have led to successful seizures and enhanced national revenue,” Shuaibu stated.
“Supporting the federal government’s financial objectives is a key aspect of our responsibility,” he said.
The Comptroller reiterated the NCS’s unwavering commitment to combat smuggling and stressed the role of intelligence, systematic monitoring, and operational efficiency in identifying and tracking criminals.
He called on the public to cooperate with the NCS in tackling smuggling activities.
Shuaibu expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, for his ongoing support, as well as to the traditional rulers of Ogun State’s host communities and security agencies for their collaboration in the fight against smuggling.
According to him, their collective efforts remain crucial in maintaining the security and integrity of the nation.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
