Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday announced the generation of N2.5 billion between January and March this year.
The command added that the achievement reflected it sustained commitment to supporting government’s fiscal objectives while ensuring compliance within the excise sector.
Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, Acting Customs Area Controller of the command Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi said “it is important to note that excise activities remain source of revenue.”
Mr Ogundeyi hinted that in the period under review, the command intercepted contraband goods worth over N478.2 million.
He said: “These seizures are a clear demonstration of our renewed operational strategy, which is anchored on intelligence gathering, coordinated patrols, and strategic deployment of personnel across identified smuggling corridors.”
“On display today are several seizures comprising the following items: Five units of second-hand vehicles, popularly referred to as Tokunbo vehicles, intercepted at Alapa patrol base and Bode Saadu axis; 60 sacks of second-hand clothing, six jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, and two bales of fairly used clothing, alongside 222 units of used compressors and 15 pieces of used tyres, all intercepted at Eiyenkorin area of Kwara State.
“Others are 44 bags of 50kg imported sugar, intercepted at Bukuro and Bode Saadu axis; 317 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted at various patrol bases, suspected to be intended for illegal cross-border smuggling; 1,107 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted at various patrol bases; 120 sacks of illegally mined lithium ore, intercepted at Alapa/Banni area of the state; nine vehicles loaded with foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted durin coordinated anti-smuggling operations within the Command’s operational corridors.
“Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures stands at ₦478.2 million, underscoring the magnitude of the attempted economic sabotage and the level of vigilance exercised by officers of the command.
“These interceptions underscore our unwavering commitment to intelligence-led enforcement operations. They are justified by the urgent need to curb economic sabotage, protect legitimate businesses, safeguard national revenue, and ensure compliance with extant laws governing cross-border trade.”
