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IBADAN – The Area Customs Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command, Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja has confirmed that the anti-smuggling war in area of it’s responsibility is yielding positive results, just as he maintained that interception of prohibited foreign parboiled rice has led to the increase in production and consumption of local rice in Oyo and Osun state respectively.
The Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command, Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi also declared the sum of two billion and forty-eight million, four hundred and eighty seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-nine naira only (N2,048,487,969.00) as revenue covering the period of 1 February to 27 February 2025.
Comptroller Adelaja, made this disclosure during his maiden press conference held at the Command’s Headquarters, Agodi, Ibadan on Friday.
Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja who officially assumed duty as the Customs Area Controller of Oyo/Osun Area Command on 7th February 2025 taking over from Comptroller Dr Ben Oramalugo, while addressing journalists at the Conference Room of the Command maintained that the revenue collected reflects the diligence and efficiency of the officers and men of the Command in ensuring compliance with extant customs law and policies.
Comptroller Joseph in his words said, “”The interception and seizure of these prohibited and uncustomed items have prevented the illegal inflow of products that undermine local industries, particularly rice farmers and manufacturers in the region. On this note, the interception of prohibited foreign parboiled rice has led to the increase in production and consumption of local rice in Oyo and Osun State respectively.”
“Under my leadership, the Command was able to collect the sum of N2,048,487,969.00(two billion and forty-eight million, four hundred and eighty seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-nine naira only) as revenue covering the period of 1 February to 27 February 2025.
“The Oyo/Osun Area Command has significantly reduced tax evasion through the adoption of advanced technology, such as the deployment of improved data analytics, which has enabled the Command to monitor trade flows and identify discrepancies effectively.”
“One of the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service is the suppression of smuggling, which undermines national security and economic growth. The Oyo/Osun Area Command has made significant strides in curbing smuggling activities, safeguarding the nation’s economy, and protecting local industries from harmful effects of illicit trade.
“Within two weeks of my assumption of duty, the Command has intercepted and seized several high-profile smuggling consignments, which includes foreign rice, second hand clothing, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), used tyres with duty paid valued of N165,387,000.00k(One and Sixty-five million, three hundred and eighty -seven thousand naira only.).
The breakdown of the commodity seized by the Command are 1,043 bags of 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice, with Duty Paid Value of N114,730,000.00k; 452 pieces of used tyres with Duty Paid Value of N43,392,000.00k; 2 bales of used clothes with DPV worth N1,440,000.00k; 233 kegs of 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit PMS, otherwise known as petrol with DPV of N5,825,000.00k.
Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi however, noted that the Command in a bid to enhance border monitoring has intensified its surveillance of key entry points and transit routes within the Oyo/Osun region. Through a combination of the physical inspections, surveillance technology, and Intelligence sharing with other security agencies.
“The Command’s anti-smuggling operations have been strengthened through increased collaboration with other security agencies such as Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian Immigration Service, these partnership have facilitated the exchange of intelligence and allowed the joint operations to dismantle smuggling networks operating in the region,” Comptroller Joseph stated.
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