Oyo/ Osun commands generate 9 billion in 6 months

The Oyo/ Osun  Area of the Nigeria Custom Service  has generated N9.4 billon as revenue from January to May this year.

The Command Comptroller, Mr Christopher Odibu disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday on the activities and achievements of the command in the first quarter of the year.

Odibu disclosed that the command had generated over N9billion to the coffer of the Federal government, mainly from excise factories,despite some challenges facing the command.  

He said the command also arrested eight suspected smugglers and seized goods worth N50milllion in the border territories of the command.

"It is important to highlight the achievements of the command from January to May this year.  During the period under the review, the command generated the sum of N9,436,241,792.56k to the coffer of the government mainly from excise factories. The figure represents 38percent of the revenue target given to the command," he noted. 

On smugglers he said "About (8) suspects were arrested along with some of these seized goods,  most of the suspects have been released on bail but the cases are in court for further persecution.  Whilst investigation is still ongoing on some of the cases."

He said the seizures comprises fairly used cars trucks loaded with contraband goods, busses used to convey bags of rice, vegetable oil and other contraband goods using yams and firewood as camouflage.

Odibu  stated further that some of the arrested smugglers have been granted bail while the case was ongoing for prosecution.

He warned smuglers to desist from going against the policies of the Federal government on importation, but rather comply on its anti-smugling policies. 

He also advised members of the public to be careful on the activities of fraudsters who through internet places adverts about auctioning of seized items or purported mass recruitment exercise into the the Nigeria Custom Service.