Comptroller Otunla with some of the seized items.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Comptroller Godwin Otunla has over the last 6 weeks hauled in various items that contravene the extant laws of Nigeria.
The Command has been forceful in carrying out its anti-smuggling activities as a result of which loaves of cannabis sativa, foreign parboiled rice, used tyres and many more items of illicit trade were recovered.
In a press briefing at the Command’s premises on Thursday, Comptroller Otunla detailed some of the achievements of the Command over the period.
He said “I am delighted to inform you today that, true to our word, the Command has sustained the momentum and recorded remarkable achievements within this short period. Through intelligence-driven operations, resilience, and the unwavering commitment of our gallant officers, we successfully made the following seizures:
a. Foreign Parboiled Rice of 50kg each – 4,424 bags, which is over 7 truckloads.
b. Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana – 50 sacks and 1,936 parcels of coconut size.
c. Used Pneumatic Tyres – 105 pieces.
d. Used Clothing – 21 bales and 3 sacks.
e. Foreign-Used Vehicles, commonly known as Tokunbo – 3 units including a Rolls-Royce worth billions of Naira.
f. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – 6,400 litres”.
“The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the aforementioned seizures amounts to One Billion, Four Hundred and One Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo – ₦1,401,531,923.95, representing a significant economic loss to smugglers but a huge gain to our national economy and security”.
The hand over ceremony.
In the area of revenue generation for the month of July 2025, the Ogun I Area Command also generated a total of Forty Five Million, Fifty Four Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety One Naira (₦45,054,191.00) only which is higher than the Thirty Five Million, Three Hundred And Twenty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred Fifty Two Naira (₦35,327,852.00) only recorded in the corresponding month of 2024.
This the CAC said “represents an increase of 27.47%. This remarkable growth is a reflection of our enhanced compliance drive, improved monitoring of border activities, and robust stakeholder engagement”.
In compliance with the normal policy on inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis sativa were handed over to the head, Idiroko Special Area Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
While handing over the seized cannabis sativa, Comptroller Otunla noted that “The synergy is not only in compliance with government directives but also reinforces our collective determination to safeguard public health, ensure national security, and protect the future of our youths from the devastating effects of hard drugs”.
The CAC sounds a clear warning to smugglers and their collaborators saying that Ogun I Command will not relent. “We remain vigilant, resolute, and unyielding. No matter the sophistication of your tricks, our officers will continue to thwart your antics, and we shall bring the full weight of the law against you”
Comptroller Otunla commends the dedicated efforts of his men, the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi and the objective media coverage of the activities of the Command.
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