Customs: Oramalugo led Oyo/Osun Command collects ₦15.9bn in 60days, ₦72.5bn in 11 months

In the face of the prevailing economic conditions, the Command has collected for the months of October and November 2024, the sum of ₦15,911,581,116.72 (Fifteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Eleven Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, One Hundred and Sixteen Naira Seventy-Two Kobo).

According to the Command’s Comptroller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, PhD, Cert. Harvard, FCIA, FNIM, in an e-signed statement, the generated revenue represents an increase of 33.57% when compared to the sum of ₦11,912,219,301.19 (Eleven Billion, Nine Hundred and Twelve Million, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Three Hundred and One Naira Nineteen Kobo) collected in the same period of 2023.

Cumulatively, for the period covering January to November 2024, the Oyo/Osun Area Command generated total revenue of ₦72,568,409,802.02 (Seventy-Two Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Two Naira, Two Kobo) representing a significant increase of 13.17% when compared to the sum of ₦64,118,678,267.69 (Sixty-Four Billion, One Hundred and Eighteen Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Naira, Sixty-Nine Kobo) collected in the same period of 2023.

The Command’s Comptroller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, PhD described the achievement is a testament to our officers’ diligence, enhanced enforcement of customs laws and improved trade facilitation measures.

It is also worthy to note that by adopting modern trade facilitation tools and promoting transparency, the Command has strengthened compliance among excise stakeholders, ensuring that revenue leakages are effectively curtailed, as the revenue collected contributes significantly to national development and supports the Federal Government’s economic agenda.

Anti-Smuggling Achievements: In addition to revenue collection duties the Oyo/Osun Area Command has also intensified its efforts in Safeguarding Lives and Protecting Local Industries.

Dr. Ben Oramalugo stressed that the seizures underscore the Command’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring compliance with fiscal and trade policies.

For the period covering 30th October to 19th December 2024, the Command anti-smuggling activities have led to the successful intercept and substantial seizures of prohibited items with a Duty Paid Valued of ₦370,772,600:00 (Three Hundred and Seventy Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Six Hundred Naira) showing the command’s commitment to performing its statutory duties. The seized prohibited items include:

S/No Commodity Seized Quantity Duty Paid Value

1. Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice 110 (50Kg) Bags ₦9,680,000:00

2. Packs of foreign Macaroni 4000 packs ₦144,000,000:00

3. Premium Motor Spirit 377 (25 litre kegs)

(Totaling: 9425 litres) ₦7,464,600:00

4. Second Hand Clothing 111 Bales ₦79,920,000:00

5. Used Tyres 348 Pieces ₦33,408,000:00

6. Banned and Unlicensed Pharmaceuticals Chloroquine Injection: 50 Cartons – ₦7,500,000:00

7. Motor Vehicle: (Means of Conveyance) 1 DAF Truck, 1 Canter ₦80,000,000:00, ₦8,800,000:00

Total: ₦370,772,600:00

The Command’s Comptroller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, PhD, Cert. Harvard, FCIA, FNIM, said the dangers posed by these smuggling activities cannot be overstated, as they not only compromise public health but also stifle the growth of local industries and deprive the government of much-needed revenue for infrastructure and development projects.

He said the seizures were carried out in strict adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), as it aligns with section 245 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which highlights the provision for the seizure, detention and condemnation of prohibited goods, as well as Schedules 3 (Import Prohibition) and Schedule 4 (Absolute Prohibition) of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) that provides a list of prohibited items.

While expressing his heartfelt appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi MFR, fnipr, psc (+), and his Management Team for always supporting the Command, Compt Oramalugo extended his profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE, Traditional Rulers in both Oyo and Osun States, Sister Security Agencies, Sister Units of the Nigeria Customs Service for their support, gallant officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command for their unwavering dedication and patriotic citizens Oyo and Osun States in ensuring the successful operations.

He said, as we approach the festive season I would like urge the general public to keep supporting the Nigeria Customs Service by providing credible intelligence, complying with trade laws and rejecting any form of economic sabotage. Furthermore as we conclude this year, I would like to state that the Oyo/Osun Area Command remains committed to upholding the values of transparency, accountability, and excellence in service delivery solely to protect lives, secure local industries and promote a thriving economy because together we will continue to build a more robust and prosperous Nigeria.