CAC Oramalugo showing some of the seized items to journalists.

Story by Dili Utomi.

The collaborative commitment to performing the needed tasks with excellence while honouring the Nigeria Customs Service’s basic values and some other factors were the reasons for the good performance in 2024, these are some of the words of Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, the Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He had a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Ibadan where he disclosed the Command’s various methodologies for achieving success. As part of his presentation at the briefing, CAC Oramalugo said “We worked together to address three primary priorities: increasing revenue collection, safeguarding Nigeria’s borders through effective anti-smuggling operations, and guaranteeing compliance with federal fiscal regulations. These duties helped our beloved country’s economic growth while also preventing the introduction of illegal items into the country, which would have had a negative impact on the general public”.

In the area of revenue generation, the Command collected a respectable amount of ₦82,193,426,334.10k (Eighty-Two billion, One hundred and ninety-three million, Four hundred and twenty-six thousand, Three hundred Thirty-Four-naira, Ten kobo) for the Federal Government. The amount collected is 15.3% higher than the amount collected in fiscal year 2023 ₦71,292,530,398.17k (Seventy-One billion, Two hundred and ninety-two million, Five hundred and thirty thousand, Three hundred- and Ninety-Eight-naira, seventeen kobo).

In the month of January 2025 the Oyo/Osun Area Command also collected the sum of ₦7,804,408,776:88k (Seven billion, Eight hundred and four million, Four hundred and eight thousand, Seven hundred and Seventy-Six Naira, Eighty-Eight Kobo). The sum collected signifies a 10.1% and 14.3% when compared to the sums of ₦7,088,191,138:30k (Seven billion, Eighty-eight million, One hundred and ninety-one thousand, One hundred and thirty-eight naira, thirty kobo) ₦6,824,954,338:96k (Six billion, Eight hundred and Twenty-four million, Nine hundred and fifty-four thousand, Three hundred- and thirty-eight-naira, ninety-six kobo) collected in the year 2023 and 2024 respectively.

He gave part of the factors that engineered the performance, saying “The Command was able to reduce delays, boost efficiency, and facilitate trade while collecting proper duties by utilising technology such as the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) and taking a proactive approach in addressing legitimate traders’ problems”.

CAC Oramalugo with some more seized items.

In anti-smuggling, the CAC noted that “Due to the interceptions and seizures of uncustomed commodities valued at ₦5,377,759,260:00k (Five billion, three hundred and seventy-seven million, seven hundred and fifty-nine thousand, two hundred and sixty naira only) in duty-paid value, the command score card for anti-smuggling efforts in 2024 is likewise of massive proportions. In comparison to the duty paid value of ₦451,479,759:00k (Four hundred and fifty-one million, four hundred and seventy-nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty-nine naira only) intercepted and confiscated in 2023, the duty paid value for 2024 represents a 1,091.14% increase”.

Between December 20th, 2024 to January 31st, 2025, the Command intercepted and seized smuggled goods with a duty paid value ₦202,784,000.00k. (Two hundred and two million, Seven hundred and eighty-four thousand naira only). These items included the following contraband goods which are detrimental to Nigeria’s economy and national security. They are:

1. FOREIGN PARBOILED RICE
170 Bags (50 kg)
₦14,960,000.00k

2. USED TYRES
1667 Pieces
₦160,032,000.00k

3. USED CLOTHES
32 Bales
4 Sacks

₦23,040,000.00k
₦2,880,000.00k

4. USED SHOES
2 Sacks
₦1,080,000.00k

5. PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT (PMS)
40 Kegs (25 Liters)
₦792,000.00k

TOTAL
₦202,784,000.00k

The CAC added “Additionally, we took significant steps to engage with local communities, raising awareness about the dangers of smuggling and its negative impact on national development. Through these outreach programs, we were able to foster stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the general public, which is crucial for achieving long-term success in the suppression of smuggling within the Command’s Area of Responsibility”.

Comptoroller Oramalugo who will soon take up a new responsibility thanked the Oyo State governor, Eng. Seyi Makinde, the Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, his officers, traditional rulers, stakeholders and journalists alike for their support and contribution to the sucees achieved in the course of his helmsmanship at the Oyo/Osun Command.

For advertisement and more information, please contact us on 08027590195, 08035721540 or email us at greatalternativenigltd@gmail.com or send us messages on x @dn_utomi or on Instagram @utomidili.