Oramalugo Consolidates Grip On Anti-smuggling Operation

…Makes Over ₦755m Recovery In 2 Months

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Showcasing some of the seizures to be handed over to sister agencies on standby in line with the services sop

Unarguably one of the finest anti-smuggling czar in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with clearly defined combat credentials, outstanding and remarkable records to show for it, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo Ph.D has since taken over the leadership of the Oyo/Osun Area Command proven again and again, his operational prowess and unremitting stance against economic smuggling activities.

Between August 30th to October 29th, 2024, the command under his watch intercepted various contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦755,896,700.00.

Heaps of sized contraband rice

The Command Public Relations Officer, SC Kayode Wey in a statement informed that Oramalugo has made it a point of sermon in engaging his officers to ensure that every kobo due to the government is collected in accordance with the law.

Disclosing the command’s anti-smuggling activities within the period under review, Oramalugo noted that despite human and environmental challenges here and there, officers and men under his watch remains focused on the command’s twin mandate of revenue generation and prevention of smuggling of both trade and contraband goods to undermine the safety, security and national economy.

Comptroller Oramalugo who arrived Oyo/Osun Command after an impressive stint at the Kebbi Area Command where he left indelible footprint of operational legacy said the command can only do better in translating the clear directives of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi into concrete results in preserving the national security and economic sanctity.

He listed items seized to include the following: foreign parboiled rice 433 (50Kg) Bags, Second Hand Clothes 61 Bales and 10 Sack Used Tyres 93 Pieces, Cannabis Sativa, 49 Sacks weighing 744.9kg Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) (25 Litre Kegs) (Totaling: 8,850 Litres).

Oramalugo displaying one of the offensive seized products with a representative of a sister agency, watching

Others are – Fake Pharmaceuticals Analgin Injection (46 Cartons) Amoxicillin Capsule 500mg (68 Sacks) , Buscomac Tablet 10mg (3 Cartons), Juscopan tablets (6 Sacks), Chloramphenicol Tablet Bp 250mg (5 Sacks), Ampiclox Capsules 500mg (11 Sacks), Arthromether Tablets (10 Sacks), Fulcin Tablets 500mg (2 Sack),, Pentazocine Injection 30mg (13 packets).

He said “This period has been critical for our nation, as we are all acutely aware of the economic challenges facing our country today. Rising inflation, high cost of living, and other financial hardships has impacted all citizens, making it essential for us to perform our duties with greater responsibility and commitment to sustaining national stability.”

Speaking on the command revenue, the anti-smuggling car said, ” I am pleased to announce that for the 3rd quarter of the year 2024 the Oyo/Osun Area Command successfully generated a total revenue of ₦23,974,543,014.49 (Twenty-Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Four Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, and Fourteen Naira, Forty-Nine Kobo). ”

According to him, the figure represents a 27.5% increase over the sum of ₦17,377,387,591.90 (Seventeen Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Seven Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-One Naira, Ninety Kobo) generated within the corresponding period of 2023.

“Cumulatively, for the period covering January to September 2024 the Command has generated the sum of ₦56,656,828,685.30 (Fifty-Six Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-Five Niara, Thirty Kobo).

“This also reflects a 7.85% increase when compared to the sum of ₦52,206,458,966.50 (Fifty-Two Billion, Two Hundred and Six Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Six Niara, Fifty Kobo) generated in the corresponding period of January to September 2023.”

A product of intellectual house and in-house resource person of repute, Oramalugo pointed out that the significant success recorded in revenue collection is a remarkable achievement despite the current financial strains affecting businesses and citizens alike.

On excise, he said, “The bulk of this revenue came from legitimate production activities by excise factories within the Commands Area of Responsibility and Command officers have ensured thorough documentation checks to avoid any revenue leakages.”