The Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service has raked in ₦8.8 billion (approximately ₦9 billion) in the first half of 2017 fiscal year, notwithstanding economic recession slowing down commercial activities in the country.
The Command also made 57 seizures of various prohibited items like textile materials, foreign rice, footwear, vehicles and bales of second hand clothes. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is ₦103.4 million.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Udo-Aka Emmanuel, made this known, saying that revenue collected from imports and export activities during the period under review stands at ₦7.2 billion, which is in contrast to the sum generated the same period in 2016. He added, “It is on record that for the same period, the Command realised ₦7.4 billion (approximately ₦7.5 billion). Comparatively, there is an increase of ₦1.5billion. Some of the smugglers have become so deadly, desperate and even resorting to harassing Customs officers on duty. Smuggling is inimical to the nation’s economy and we are warning those engrossed in the unholy act of smuggling, which constitutes serious economic sabotage to purge themselves, or be ready for prosecution and imprisonment, as we will not hesitate to carry out government’s trade policy to the letter. We are well trained and equipped to carry out our statutory duty efficiently”.
A breakdown of the seizures made include 33 vehicles with DPV of ₦3,321,000.00; 500 cartons of imported fish with DPV of ₦3,321,00.00; 250cartons of imported frozen chicken with DPV of ₦2,749,000.00; 55jerrycans of vegetable oil with DPV of ₦757,854.85; 477 pieces of retreaded pneumatic tyres with DPV of ₦2,884,549.00 and 16 bales of foreign textiles with DPV of ₦3,071,880.00.