Customs seizes various contraband, generates N15bn earnings Q1 2021

*The Oyo and Osun State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it confiscated several contraband items, and generated over N15 billion revenue in the first quarter of this year

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of the agency’s efforts at discouraging smuggling while protecting Nigerian consumers from unauthorised the Oyo and Osun State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it confiscated several contraband items, including rice, cannabis, petrol and used clothing, among others, and generated import duty of over N15 billion in the first quarter of 2021.

Adamu Abdulkadir, Customs Area Controller, disclosed this development at a media briefing on the activities of the Command in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Abdulkadir said: “The figure is cumulative of import duty from bonded terminals, excise duty from factories under the excise net, auction fees and all other ancillary charges into both federation and non-federation accounts.

“From 1st February 2021 to 30th April 2021, the Command generated N15,890,489,479.26 (fifteen billion, eight hundred and ninety million, four hundred and eighty-nine thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine naira, twenty-six kobo).”

The NCS chief noted that the Area Command also seized over 3,311 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 487 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, 221 cartons of imported dry fish, nine sacks of imported dry fish, nine sacks of Cannabis Sativa, and six bales of used shoes during the period.

According to him, other items seized from smugglers include 10 litres gallons of vegetable oil, 572 (2.5 litres) gallons of vegetable oil, 21 bales of second-hand clothing, and one used DAF truck with the duty paid value of N134million.