Seme Customs  Rakes In ₦743m In Feb 2025

 …As Oramalugo Showcases Trademark Scorecard

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Comptroller Oramalugo middle, surrounded by his principal officers during the press briefing, to his left is Command PRO, S. Isah

In an impressiveand historic re-enactment of his trademark enforcement exploits, the Seme Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo PhD Thursday, March 12, 2025 showcased intimidating number of seizures recorded within a month of his arrival, including petroleum products, rice, illicit intoxicating drug substances, unsafe rethreaded tyres, among others; with a  number of vehicles being some of the means of conveyances.

Cerebral, focused, fearless, diligent and an uncommon team player and regarded as a phenomenal anti-smuggling czar, Dr. Ben Oramalugo PhD, Cert Harvard, FCIA, FNIM represents one of the best in the customs service operational front row.

During the handing over of the seized illicit drugs in Seme, yesterday

Within a month of assuming control of the Seme Command, he has changed the administrative and operational narratives, creating panic and sending fears amongst players within the smuggling underworld; even as the revenue pattern of the command surged significantly, with a total collection of Seven Hundred and Forty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Two Naira and Sixteen Kobo (₦743,728,652.16k) only for the month of February 2025.

The upward swing which also reflected in the Command’s enforcement chart indicated the seizure of 444 Parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 181 Packs of Tramadol, 600 Bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), 240 Kegs of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), 1,809 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each), 17 Sacks of Used Shoes, Fifty-Six (56) Bales of Used Clothes; and 203 Pieces of Used Tyres.

Dr Oramalugo who put the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures at Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Fifty-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira (N267,054,172.00k) only, said the Command under his watch has kept pace with the implementation of the strategic agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR in the area revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and inter- collaboration.

Addressing newsmen on the maiden press briefing at the Conference Hall of the Joint Border Post here in the ECOWAS complex, Seme- Krake Border, Comptroller Oramalugo noted: “Our mission at Seme Area Command extends beyond revenue collection—it encompasses national security and economic growth, which are best achieved through strong institutional partnerships.

“To enhance operational efficiency and ensure optimal performance, the Command has undertaken critical restructuring of key sections. This has led to strategic redeployment of officers for better vigilance and proactive border security operations and increased accountability and improved revenue collection” adding:

“I am pleased to report that these reforms have already yielded positive results.”

Speaking on revenue generation, he said that the Command will leverage on the trade facilitation initiatives to foster a more efficient, transparent and predictable trade environment thereby contributing to Nigeria’s growth and development.

“As part of its core mandate of Revenue Generation, the Seme Area Command has generated a total revenue of Seven Hundred and Forty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Two Naira and Sixteen Kobo (₦743,728,652.16k) only for the month of February 2025. This remarkable achievement underscores our commitment to blocking revenue leakages and ensuring maximum collection for national development.

On trade facilitation he said, “The Command facilitated a total of over Twenty-Eight Thousand metric tones (28,395.293) equivalent to Eight Hundred and Six (806) trucks of export produce for the month of February 2025, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of Seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira (N 7,852,172,249.00k) only, which is equivalent to Four Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Seven Dollars, Seventy-Eight Cents (4,995,527.78 USD) only.

“The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was Thirty-Nine Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-One Naira, Twenty-Five Kobo(N39, 260, 861.25k) only. The total surcharge during the month of February is Two Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira (N 2, 433, 433.00k) only.”

He further explained that the seizures which contravened relevant sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 (NCSA 23), reaffirm the NCS commitment to suppressing smuggling within the Seme border corridor; even as he disclosed that the handing over of the seized Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, was with the approval of the CGC, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration.

Speaking on the criticality of team work as the basis for the successs that has been recorded within the short period of his arrival, the  Seme customs border boss noted that inteligence gathering and effective management also played a major role; even as he spoke on his strategic plans to maintain the traction.

Comptroller Oramalugo and the NDLEA representative signing the handover, takeover register

“The achievements of the Seme Area Command within this short period are the result of the unwavering support of the CGC and his NCS Management Team, the dedication and professionalism of our officers, the effective deployment of intelligence-driven strategies and robust inter-agency collaboration as well as stakeholder engagement.

“While we have recorded significant strides, we remain resolute in our commitment to strengthening our engagement with traditional rulers and community leaders, enhancing surveillance and patrol activities to eliminate smuggling operations as well as deploying advanced intelligence strategies to disrupt illicit trade networks.”

While thanking the CGC and his management team for their unwavering support and encouragement, Oramalugo also applauded sister security agencies for their collaboration.

“The proactive measures we have implemented in fostering collaboration, enhancing operational efficiency, boosting revenue generation, and intensifying anti-smuggling efforts are already yielding tangible results. We remain committed to sustaining these efforts to ensure even greater service delivery in the months ahead.”

This is even as he warned recalcitrant and dubious business people and others notable for anti-economic activities to change and embrace legitimate means of livelihood or else to continue to face the superior strategy of the NCS designed to crush all acts of economic sabotage.

“Let me use this opportunity to warn smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities will not be tolerated. Smuggling is an act of economic sabotage, and the Seme Area Command is fully prepared to track down, arrest, and prosecute offenders.

I strongly advise all individuals involved in smuggling to embrace legitimate trade and contribute to national economic growth, rather than engaging in criminal activities that undermine our country’s economy.”