Crime

Customs Solicits Support of Traditional Institution in Combating Smuggling

By Web News 116

By Abisola Oluremi

The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Oyo – Osun Command, wants continuous support of traditional institutions in the promotion of lawful trade and National security.

The   Area Comptroller  of the Command, Joseph Adelaja stated this during a courtesy call on the ooni  of Ife , Oba  Adeyeye Ogunwusi at his  Palace in Ile Ife, osun state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command,  AbdulMalik Akintola.

The Oyo-Osun Command NCS boss, Adelaja who acknowledged that Monarchs significant role as a custodian of Yoruba culture and the symbol of peace, explained that the collaboration with NCS would boost economic stability and National security. 

Responding, Oba Ogunwusi commended NCS  for its  vital role in the Nation’s economic development, particularly in the area of  revenue generation .

The Ooni who encouraged NCS not to relent in its fight against  smuggling and other criminal action, assured the agency of his continuous support .

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Crime

Customs Service Nets Seven Billion Naira from Seized Goods

By Web News 443

By Abisola Oluremi

The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has achieved a remarkable feat, generating over seven billion naira for the Federal Government in the first month of the year 

 This success is attributed to the command’s efforts in countering smuggling, which poses a significant threat to national security and hinders the growth of local industries.

According to Dr Ben Oramalugo, during a press briefing held at the command headquarters, Ibadan, said the seized items include foreign parboiled rice, used tyres, clothes, shoes and premium motor spirit.

Dr. Oramalugo emphasized that the command’s success is due to the collaboration of local communities, other security agencies, and the dedication of the command’s officers. 

He also reiterated the command’s commitment to reducing smuggling to zero.

In a piece of related news, Dr. Ben Oramalugo has been transferred to the Seme border as part of a routine reassignment.

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Economy

Don’t Export Grains, Customs Boss Warns Dealers

By Web News 382

Worried by the current food crisis in the country, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Custom Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has warned dealers at the Dawanau International grains market against exportation of grains such as maize, beans, sorghum and rice.

This was as he said it is set to fully implement the export prohibition act forbidding exportation of the specific grains in the country

The Customs Comptroller General stated this when he led a delegation to meet with the leadership of the Dawanau International grains market in Kano.

He said the decision became imperative in the face of the current food crisis in order to ensure food sufficiency in the country

According to him, “In Nigeria, you may be aware of the export prohibition act and that is the law that forbids taken some food items out of the country. That law has been there for some time, it is because we are in a situation of food sufficiency, that is why it has not been implemented.

“Now, we are in food crisis, the President has asked me to request your understanding that during this period, we are going to implement the laws forbidding the exportation of certain grain items such as maize, beans, sorghum, rice. We do not want those that are locally produced in Nigeria and those that are already imported to be re-exported out of the country. And you are a very big stakeholder in this particular business.

“It is only those that have fed and are fully okay that can begin to take what they cannot eat out of the country. We have not gotten to that level currently. And this is why we are seeking your understanding that at this period we have to restrict the movement of our grains particularly the strategic ones out of the country.

“Everywhere in the world, they also have those goods that do not allow them to export. If you want to buy them, you cannot. As advanced as countries like the United States of America, you know that the US government have a policy whereby they manage the stock of their farmers through the use of subsidies, strategic results and all of that measures and they were able to manage what goes out and comes into the US. Every responsible organization or countries takes that kind of decision,” he said.

The Customs boss however said so far its men and other agencies have intercepted over 120 trucks across the country attempting to export the grains.

“Before today, I had a meeting with transporters, journalist to get their support and understanding. And that is why I have also come to this market because we know this is the biggest market. So that you don’t take interest in where your exports are going,” the CG, Adeniyi however stated.

Earlier, the Chairman of the market, Muttaka Isa said the traders in the market were not hoarding food items.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

FG Seeks Relief for Border Communities

By Web News 312

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

The Federal Government has initiated plans to address the challenges confronting residents of border communities including the scarcity of petroleum products.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun One Area Command, Mr Ahmadu Shuaibu made this known at Idi iroko while briefing journalists on the recent achievements of the command. 

Mr Shuaibu, who emphasized that the ban on sales of petrol at border areas was aimed at curbing petrol smuggling to neighbouring companies, hinted at the opening of two petrol stations at the border soon. 

The Acting Controller announced that the command had generated more than thirty million naira as revenue, through baggage assessment and auction sales of seized petroleum products in the last month. 

Mr Shuaibu said 122 seizures were recorded by the command during the period, comprising 4,684 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 5 vehicles and 500 used pneumatic tyres, popularly called Tokunbo. 

He listed other items as 901 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as Indian hemp as well as 23 units of vehicles used as means of conveying prohibited goods with the total duty paid value of over 398 million naira.

While restating his commitment to stemming the tides of smuggling in Ogun State, Mr Shaibu applauded the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi for releasing 8 Toyota Land Cruiser trucks to enhance the Command’s operations.

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Security

Adeleke Lauds Tinubu on Adeniyi’s Confirmation as CG Customs

By Web News 406

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of Mr. Adewale Adeniyi as the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service.

In a statement by the Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor appreciated President Tinubu for recognizing the capability of Mr. Adeniyi to drive his agenda in the paramilitary outfit, saying his confirmation is a bold assertion of the President’s commitment to redirect Customs for more efficiency and productivity.

The Governor congratulated Mr. Adeniyi for the deserving progress in his career, noting that his confirmation was a reward for years of dedication, competence, and pronounced commitment to public service.

While expressing his full confidence in Mr. Adeniyi to continue to serve with dedication, professionalism and integrity in his new role, Governor Adeleke reminded him that not just the people of Osun State, but the entire nation look forward to improved contribution to the country from the Customs under his leadership.

Governor Adeleke prayed for Mr. Adeniyi to have a rewarding time with a lot of accomplishments as the Comptroller-General of Customs while echoing the pride of the people of the state to have such a distinguished individual representing the state in such an important position.

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Security

Customs Service Strengthens Offensive against Tokunbo Tyres

By Web News 422

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

The Nigerian Customs Service says it has strengthened offensive operations against the importation of foreign-used pneumatic tyres, popularly known as Tokunbo tyres. 

The Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, who announced this to journalists in Abeokuta, said the move was aimed at safeguarding the nation from the risk of losing lives and property in preventable road accidents. 

Mr Adeniyi emphasized that a large percentage of the pneumatic tyres tailored for use in foreign countries had exceeded their recommended lifespan of four years from the manufacturing date and were deemed unsuitable for Nigerian highways.

He explained that the recent operations of the Customs Service against illicit drugs were yielding results, evident in the interception of bags and parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing above 1,000 kilogrammes by the Ogun 1 Area Command, under Zone A. 

Mr Adeniyi listed other seizures recorded by the Command within the last one month to include 1,436 used pneumatic tyres, more than 3,000 bags of parboiled foreign rice in 50 kilogramme bags and 32 vehicles used for conveyance with the total duty paid value rising above 241 billion naira.

He restated the Customs service unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country from potential road accidents , protecting society from the entry of harmful substances and ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerians.

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Economy News

Low Tempo Commercial Activities around Idi-Iroko Border

By Web News 627

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke 

Business activities are yet to reach the peak around Idi-roko border in Ogun State since the pronouncement of border opening by the Federal government.

Business owners and residents of the border communities have attributed the slow pace of operations to the persisting ban on the trade of some commodities usually in high demand around the borderlines. 

Apart from travellers and investors in international trade operating through the trade facilitation process of the Nigeria Customs Service, artisans and small scale business men and women operating around the border areas said they were not sure that the government had opened the borders. 

The low tempo of commercial activities was evident in Ajegunle, Ipokia, Ijofin, Mahun, Ilara, and other communities where many shops and business outlets hitherto involved in the sales of imported items, popularly called “Tokunbo” were out of operations. 

Those who spoke with Radio Nigeria, including a vulcanizer and tyre merchant, Mr Jimoh Ige maintained that although, the borders were said to be opened, the ban on importation of Tokunbo items, especially rice, had crippled their activities. 

Another resident, Mr. Dare Olaiwin also said the ban on movement of petroleum products within twenty kilometers radius to the borderlines should be reviewed as it had greatly hindered business activities in the area.

Mr Olaiwin expressed optimism that making the fuel available to residents of border areas would enable them to engage in fruitful ventures and contribute to the process of national development. 

Other contributors, who noted the sharp decline in the tempo of cross border trading, urged the government to empower genuine small scale business owners to invest in legitimate trades across the borders. 

In a reaction, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, who paid a working visit to the Idiroko border charged the customs operatives to strengthen measures towards promoting legitimate businesses between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries.

The Controller General of Customs solicited the support of the people and other relevant agencies in the efforts to rid the borders of smuggling, human trafficking and drug trafficking among other vices against national peace economic stability.

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Crime

Court Imprisons Three for Smuggling

By Web News 456

By Olusegun Folarin

Three suspected smugglers have been remanded in a correctional facility by the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta over allegations of forgery and smuggling. 

Justice Ademola Ajayi while presiding over the suit filed by the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ikeja Zone “A” ordered that the suspects should be remanded in a facility within the court’s jurisdiction. 

The defendants, Ismail Shaibu, Jimoh Yakubu, and Abdullahi Muazu were arraigned before the court on two- separate count charges bordering on forgery and conspiracy to commit wits by forging the NCS’ documents, particularly the “Exit Note” for the purpose of evading necessary duties payable to the government.

The Prosecuting Counsel, an Assistant Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Customs Service, Mrs Vivian Aigbadon had told the court that the accused persons committed the offenses between January and February 2023 around Owode Idi iroko road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Mrs Aigbadon said both Shaibu and Yakubu were standing trials for forgery and conspiracy, while Muazu was being tried for the illegal importation of a Toyota Rav-4 Utility vehicle and some bags of foreign parboiled rice.

The three defendants pleaded nonguilty to the allegations but the prosecutor applied for trial and urged that the defendants be remanded in a  correctional facility while the defendants’ counsel applied for bail for the accused. 

In his ruling, Justice Ajayi ordered that the three defendants should be remanded in a correctional facility till next week Tuesday, the 16th May, 2023 when hearing of the bail applications would be taken. 

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