Oyo/Osun Customs seize 1,165 bags of smuggled rice – Area Comptroller
By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan
The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized 1,165 bags of smuggled rice with estimated Duty Paid Value of N10,5million.
Customs Area Comptroller for the Command, Mr. Tolutope Ogunkua who stated this in Ibadan while briefing journalists, declared that men of the command intercepted two trucks and six assorted Tokunbo cars loaded with the smuggled rice in the early hours of yesterday along Saki-Oyo road axis.
According to the Area Comptroller, one suspect was arrested with the trucks and the smuggled imported rice, and that the interception was made possible through intelligence utilization, saying the suspect is currently helping the Command in its ongoing investigations.
He added that some of the fairly used vehicles used for the imported rice included three Volkwagen Golf cars, Two Mazda bus and one green coloured Mazda 323 car, and that one of vehicles was specifically arrested for duty evasion.
Mr Ogunkua while vowing that there will be no room for smugglers in the command, assured genuine importers that rice importation and duty payment through the border is still approved by government while operatives of the Command are available to facilitate same. He added that
“the present administration has zero tolerance for corruption and revenue leakages in all its ramifications, the command is committed to enforcing same.”
He stressed that he will continue to build on the success recorded by his predecessors both in revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities. He stressed that “as we all know, the Nigeria Customs service is very strategic in the sustenance of the Nation’s economy at this critical stage of economy down turn.
“Maximum revenue generation is paramount in the heart of the Controller General of Customs, Col. Hammed ibrahim (rtd)”.
