Customs seizes over N205m smuggled items in two weeks, in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service has made seizures of smuggled items with duty paid value of over N205 million in Ogun state.

The Ogun state Area Controller of Customs, Sani Madugu, who made this known while briefing newsmen at the st

ate command headquarters in Abeokuta said that the seized items include 13 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 1,168 bags of rice, 221 kegs of vegetable oil, five sacks of secondhand bags and 12 means of conveyance, with duty paid value of N153, 858, 579.

Madugu said that the seizures were made within two weeks by the operatives of the Command at Idi Iroko axis of the state.

He added that a similar seizure, which include six used cars, 610 bags of rice, 62 used tyres, 12 means of conveyance, 40 cartons of spaghetti and 15 kegs of vegetable oil, with duty paid value of N51,360,580, was made at the Abeokuta axis of the Command.

The Custom boss disclosed that the State Area Command realized N300 million as excise duty monthly from local factories in the state, while he reiterated the Command’s resolve to tackle smugglers and ensure correct duties are paid into the government coffers.

He said, “Despite the aforementioned event and given the difficult nature of the operational environment, we will continue to stand firm and resolute in discharging the statutory responsibilities bestowed upon us as a service with this dedication, selflessness and uncompromising commitment.”

He added that an officer of the anti-smuggling task force, who was inflicted with a deep machete cut by a suspected smuggler while on a routine patrol along Ibeji River, Idogo, is responding to treatment and the Command is on the trail of the smugglers, promising that  they would soon be brought to book.