By Folayimika Akanbi
The Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, on Wednesday, disclosed that it realized a sum of N2,527,531,290.00 as revenue for the government within the last two months.
The fund, according to the command, was generated through excise activities, which remain the only source of revenue collection within the area command.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Kwara Area Command of the service, Deputy Controller Najeem Ogundeyi, stated this while briefing Journalists on the activities of his command and number of seizures recorded within the period under review.
He said the amount of revenue generated reflected the command’s sustained commitment to supporting government’s fiscal objectives while ensuring compliance within the excise sector.
Ogundeyi, who listed the seizures as five units of second-hand vehicles, 1,107 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg, 317 Jerry Cans of fuel also known Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and second-hand clothing among others, said the items were intercepted in different parts of Kwara.
He explained that the operations that led to the interception of the items demonstrated the command’s renewed operational strategy, anchored on intelligence gathering, coordinated patrols, and strategic deployment of personnel across identified smuggling corridors.
Ogundeyi noted that the seizures justified the urgent need to curb economic sabotage, protect legitimate businesses, safeguard national revenue, and ensure compliance with extant laws governing cross-border trade.
Speaking on the seized foreign parboiled rice, the customs chief said it was at variance with the policy of the federal government that proscribed importation of such item.
He maintained that the resolve of the federal government was to stimulate local production of rice, empower farmers and create employment opportunities with a view to strengthening national food security.
Ogundeyi, at the briefing that had in attendance service commanders in the state including Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Federal Fire Service among others, identified the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures as N478,171,315.00.
He said the ugly development underscored the magnitude of the attempted economic sabotage and the level of vigilance officers of the command, which resulted in the interception of the items.
Ogundeyi, who conducted service commanders and journalists round the seized items, listed them as:
“Five (5) units of second-hand vehicles, popularly referred to as Tokunbo vehicles, intercepted at Alapa Patrol Base and Bode Saadu axis.
“Sixty (60) sacks of second-hand clothing, six (6) jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, and two (2) bales of second-hand clothing, alongside two hundred and twenty-two (222) units of used compressors and fifteen (15) pieces of used tyres, all intercepted at Eiyenkorin area of Kwara State.
“Forty-four (44) bags of 50kg imported sugar, intercepted at Bukuro and Bode Saadu axis.
“Three Hundred and Seventeen (317) jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted at various Patrol Base, suspected to be intended for illegal cross-border smuggling.
“One thousand, one hundred and seven (1,107) bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted at various Patrol Bases.
“One hundred and twenty (120) sacks of illegally mined lithium ore, intercepted at Alapa/Banni area of Kwara State.
“Nine (09) vehicles loaded with foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted during coordinated anti-smuggling operations within the Command’s operational corridors.”
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