Customs says it prioritizes human wellness

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, says sacks of fake pharmaceutical drugs estimated at over N1.8billion intercepted by its officers and men is a demonstration of its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians are not fed with unwholesome imported medicaments.

Addressing news men in his Bodija headquarter in Ibadan, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo said “We have successfully intercepted and seized contraband goods, including items that pose threats to economic stability and lives of citizens in the country.”

He explained that the Command’s anti-smuggling activities have been strategically positioned to ensure that Federal Government’s policy on border closure is totally enforced by preventing the importation of prohibited items harmful to the wellbeing of citizens.

Speaking further, Oramalugo notes that the command under his watch is also committed to preventing the exportation of essential food resources for individual economic gains by economic saboteurs; and disclosed that the command collected N5,664,295,751.15 in revenue receipt in February 2024..

He gave the highlight of the seizures to include 53 sacks of fake pharmaceutical drugs with a Duty Paid Value, DPV, of ₦1,739,000,000.00; 1,309 pieces of used tyres with a DPV of ₦70,140,000.00; 345 × 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice; 344 × 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS; and 4 wraps of 4 Kilogram of Indian Hemp in 45 sacks.

Others are 8 sacks, approximately 9 bales of used clothing and shoes; 34 cartons of foreign wine and 40 bottles (5 litres), 21 bottles (1 litres) of foreign vegetable oil, with a total DPV of N1,890,022,931.00.

The unapologetic anti-smuggling chief says that despite the prevailing economic challenges, the Command has continued to demonstrate resilience and efficiency in revenue generation by collecting the sum of N5,664,295,751.15 in February 2024. Added to its January collection of N6,824,954,338.96, brings the command’s  total collection to the sum of N12,489,250,090.11.

Oramalugo explained that whereas all border within its territory and area rsponsibility are still closed due to the ongoing Federal Government policy on Border closure, “Command Officers remain vigilant and dedicated to preventing the smuggling of items that could compromise the health and well-being of our citizens.”

While expressing gratitude to the leadership and management of the NCS for various supports, he commended the efforts of traditional rulers, local government chairmen and key stakeholders in both Oyo and Osun States, for helping to enlighten their subjects and people about the negative effect of smuggling on the economy.

“We are confident that, through collective efforts, we can overcome the challenges we face and contribute to a more secure and prosperous future for Nigeria”, he said.