Gentlemen of the Press
1. It is with great pleasure, I welcome you all tothis Press Conference at the Headquarters of Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service. This press conference is to highlight the achievements of the Commandwhilst performing the core mandates of the Service, in terms of Suppression of Smuggling, Revenue Collection, Legitimate Trade Facilitation and Enforcement of Federal Government Policies for the period covering 24th May 2022, when I had my last press briefing, to 14th December 2022.
2. We wish to express our gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management Team, for their continuous support to the Command in the realization of the Service mandate and enhanced performance.
3. Leveraging, on the inspiration and the support received from the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd)the score card of the Command is as follows;
4. REVENUE:
During the period covering May to November 2022, the Command collected a sum of ₦46,431,321,578.65k (Forty-Six Billion, Four Hundred and Thirty-One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy-Eight Naira, Sixty-Five Kobo). When added to the revenuecollected for the period covering January to April 2022, the Command has collected a sum of ₦65,462,925,412.30k (Sixty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twelve Naira, Thirty Kobo).
5. When compared to revenue collection of ₦56,904,977,769.95k (Fifty Six Billion, Nine Hundred and Four Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira, Ninety Five Kobo) during the same period last year, the Command exceeded her revenue collection of 2021 with the sum of ₦8,557,947,642.35k (Eight Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Thirty Five Kobo) representing 15.04%increase. When viewed against the revenue target of the Command for the period covering January – November 2022, the Command exceeded her revenue target with the sum of₦6,727,450,200.22k (Six Billion, Seven Hundred and Twenty Seven Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Two Hundred Naira, Twenty Two Kobo) representing 11.45% increase.
This feat is made possible by our resolve to continue to religiously enforce provisions of our extant laws aimed at facilitating legitimate trade.
6. It is pertinent to note that the Command has continued to enforce the provisions of 2022 Finance Act, which brought some factories under Excise Control. I am glad to inform you that there has been appreciable compliance by Excise Traders operating within the Command’s Area of Responsibility (AoR).
7. ANTI-SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES:
During the period under review, the Command,with the use of intelligence and continuous patrol/enforcement operations, made series of interceptions comprising of 126 (One Hundred and Twenty-Six) seizures and 21 (Twenty-One) detentions. These include, but not limited to,Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Foreign Parboiled Rice, Second Hand Clothings, Used Tyres, Used Vehicles (Tokunbo vehicles and vehicles used as means of conveyance), Used Bags, Used Shoes, Dry Donkey Skin and Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦192,182,652.00k (One Hundred Ninety TwoMillion, One Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Two Naira Only).
8. During the same period, it is pertinent to note that the Command in the pursuance of inter-agency cooperation intercepted 80 Wraps of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) weighing 42 Kilograms. This is awaiting approval for handing over to NDLEA. In the same vein 69 sacks of Dried Donkey skin was handed over to Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) along with 2 suspects and 1 means of conveyance for further agency action. You may wish to note that Donkey is an endangered species and trading on endangered species contravenes Schedule 6 of the CET and Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) (Flora/Fauna) which Nigeria is a signatory to.
| S/NO | COMMODITY SEIZED | QUANTITY | DUTY PAID VALUE |
| 1. | Foreign Parboiled Rice | 4,217 (50 kg) bags | 74,219,200.00 |
| 2. | P.M.S | 914 (25 liter) kegs-22,850ltrs | 2,010,800.00 |
| 3. | Used Clothing | 40 Bales5 Sacks | 4,800,000.00180,000.00 |
| 4. | Used Vehicles | 17 Units | 87,531,252.00 |
| 5. | Used Tyres | 1, 167 pieces | 8,846,400.00 |
| 6. | Used Bags | 13 Sacks | 780,000.000 |
| 7. | Used Shoes | 1 Sack | 60,000.00 |
| 8. | Dry Donkey Skin | 69 Sacks | 3,795,000.00 |
| 9. | Cannabis Sativa(Indian Hemp) | 80 Wraps (42kg) | 8,400.000.00 |
| TOTAL | 192,182,652.00 | ||
9. Permit me to state that the achievements showcased here today was made possible through timely sharing of credible intelligence and effective collaboration/synergy between all Units of the Nigeria Customs Service resident within Oyo & Osun States and especially the resilience and vigilance of Officers and Men of the Oyo/Osun Command. It is important to also note that the collaborative efforts of Sister Agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), NDLEA, NAQS, Oyo State Operation Burst and Amotekun Corps are also highly appreciated.
10. We would also like to appreciate and acknowledge the cooperation of the Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Youth and Community Leaders and the good people of Oyo and Osun States who have continued to enlighten their people on the ills of smuggling. Our appreciation also goes to the Governments of Oyo and Osun States for providing enabling environment for Command officers and Men to carry out their statutory duties.
11. Once again, we assure all stakeholders with legitimate businesses within the Commands Area of Responsibility, of our maximum cooperation to ensure facilitation of legitimate trade. We hereby warn individuals with nefarious intentions aimed at sabotaging the economic development of our Nation, to steer clear of the Commands territory, as the Command remains resolute to continue to deploy all available resources in accordance with all Extant Laws as enshrined in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45, LFN 2004 as amended, not only to frustrate them but, ensure they are brought to justice.
12. We also use this opportunity to implore all well-meaning Nigerians and members of the general public to provide useful information against economic saboteurs in their environment to the Command, in order to improve our service delivery, reed our society of all economic saboteurs and safe guard our Country, Nigeria.
13. Finally, I would like to thank the Gentlemen of the press for their continued support and also for honoring our invitation. I wish you all journey mercies back to your respective destinations and wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New year in advance.
14. Thank you and God bless.