The Customs Area Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Command Adamu R Abdulkadir has reiterated his commitment to putting an end to activities of smugglers in the zone through an anti-smuggling operation, codenamed ‘Operation Fish Out.’
The Command’s Comptroller disclosed this while briefing press on the seizures at the commanding officer in Ibadan.
Abdulkadir who lamented that the effort of the smugglers ina watching and retarding the effort of the government in promoting local production and boost economy said the custom under his management will continue to take the battle to the doorsteps of the smugglers.
“We shall deploy all our strength and available logistics to ensure successes in the battle against those who like to dare the capability of officers of Oyo/Osun Area command, Oyo and Osun states will be unbearable for economic saboteurs.”
He added that the Customs and Excise management act (CEMA) Cap C45-LFN 2004 empower them to search premises for uncustom goods and power to give reward to informants who give genuine intelligence to help improve the capabilities of the command anti-smuggling duties.
Abdulkadir who commended the efforts of the command’s officers for their resilience in the face of many challenges, however, warned that anyone wanting to test their resolve by daring to smuggle is assured that the long arm of law will certainly catch up with such recalcitrant fellow.
He revealed that the command was able to generate a sum of N4’895,772,769,90 ( Four Billion Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Million Seven Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Nine Nara, Ninety Kobo) for January 2021.
He added that between 19th Nov 2020 and 31 January 2021, the command has made a series of seizures of detention and seizures amounting to a total duty paid value of N393,420,494, (Three Hundred and ninety-three million, four hundred and twenty thousand, four hundred and Ninety Four Naira only.
Item seized includes 8 Units of Toyota Camry( 2020 models) with DPV of N211,541,3200., I used Toyota Highlander ( 2019 model) with a DPV of N33,710, 363, 220 kegs x 25 litres of premium motor spirit, 3052 of foreign parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value of N124,477,488.00, 8×25 litres of Vegetable Oil with DPV N217,251.00, 60 bales of Second-Hand clothing, Okroka with DPV of N15,034, 143 and 246 pieces of Used Tyres with DPV of 2,698,866.00 and 10 Units of Motorcycle used as means of conveyance for smuggling rice with DPV of N1,219,000.00
Also, 20kg of cannabis Sativa with a duty paid value of N4, 526, 063, was seized and he said would be handed over to the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agence NDLEA for further action.
Abdulkadir acknowledged the support of sister agencies including Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, Oyo State Operation Burst, Amotekun, as well contributions of other stakeholders such as community leaders, traditional rulers in Oyo and Osun for their efforts.
