By Adeola Badru

The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, said it has collected a total of two billion and forty-eight million, four hundred and eighty-seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-nine naira (N2,048,487,969.00) in revenue for the period from February 1 to February 27, 2025.

The new Area Customs Controller, Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja, gave the hint yesterday, during his inaugural press conference at the command’s headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan.

Comptroller Joseph, who officially took over as Customs Area Controller on February 7, 2025, succeeding Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo, emphasised that the revenue collected reflected the diligence and efficiency of the command’s officers in ensuring compliance with existing customs laws and policies.

He stated, “Under my leadership, the Command collected N2,048,487,969.00 (two billion and forty-eight million, four hundred and eighty-seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-nine naira) as revenue from February 1 to February 27, 2025.”

“The Oyo/Osun Area Command has significantly reduced tax evasion through the adoption of advanced technology, including improved data analytics, which enables us to monitor trade flows and identify discrepancies effectively.”

“One of the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service is to suppress smuggling, which undermines national security and economic growth.

He said that the Oyo/Osun Area Command has made significant progress in curbing smuggling activities, thereby safeguarding the nation’s economy and protecting local industries from the detrimental effects of illicit trade.”

“In the two weeks since my assumption of duty, the Command has intercepted and seized several high-profile smuggling consignments, including foreign rice, second-hand clothing, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and used tires, with a total duty-paid value of N165,387,000.00 (one hundred and sixty-five million, three hundred and eighty-seven thousand naira).”

“The seizure of these prohibited and uncustomed items has prevented the illegal inflow of products that undermine local industries, particularly rice farmers and manufacturers in the region.”

“Notably, the interception of prohibited foreign parboiled rice has contributed to increased production and consumption of local rice in Oyo and Osun states,” Comptroller Joseph said.

The breakdown of the seized commodities includes:

• 1,043 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, with a duty-paid value of N114,730,000.00 – 452 used tires, with a duty-paid value of N43,392,000.00 – 2 bales of used clothing, with a duty-paid value of N1,440,000.00 – 233 kegs of 25 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with a duty-paid value of N5,825,000.00.

Comptroller Joseph also noted that the command has intensified its surveillance of key entry points and transit routes within the Oyo/Osun region to enhance border monitoring.

This, he said, involved a combination of physical inspections, surveillance technology, and intelligence sharing with other security agencies.

“The command’s anti-smuggling operations have been strengthened through increased collaboration with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Nigerian Immigration Service.”

“These partnerships have facilitated intelligence exchange and enabled joint operations to dismantle smuggling networks operating in the region,” Comptroller Joseph stated.

Vanguard News