The Kebbi command of Nigeria Customs Service has generated a sum of one hundred and forty four million, eight hundred and sixty two thousand, and three hundred and seventy two naira (₦144,862,372) in March.
The controller of the command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo fcia fnim said at the headquarters of the command in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that the revenue generated represents 164% of the command’s monthly target.
He explained that despite elections that took place in the month which undoubtedly affected the volume of import of goods into the country, the efforts put in place has continued to translate to positive outcome.
Oramalugo hoped to record steady rise in the command’s revenue in the coming months throughout the year.
He is hopeful of meeting, if not surpassing, the command’s annual target of one billion, fifty eight million, seven hundred and two thousand four hundred and sixty six naira (₦1,058,702,466).
The controller said the command is now exploring ways on how to address a major challenge identified by stakeholders of multiple taxation from the neighbouring countries before their goods arrive at Kamba, the only border currently open under his command.
On smuggling, he disclosed the sealing of a filling station after a credible intelligence of ongoing smuggling activities of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at the AP filling station at Yauri in Yauri Local Government of Kebbi State was confirmed.
In his words: “I instantly detailed my officers and men to rush to the scene, stop the illegal activity and seal up the filling station. The joint patrol teams, upon arrival at the filling station, engaged in skilled mode operation by cordoning off the entire area, sealing the filling station and started evacuation of all the kegs of PMS already loaded for onward smuggling out of the country through one of the waterways in Yauri.
“While the evacuation was ongoing, the criminals who had fled the scene upon sighting our vehicles, later mobilized themselves and came back with some thugs in order to resist the evacuation, but our men stood their ground until we received reinforcement from the Nigerian Army who helped us in dispersing the crowd.
“We were able to eventually evacuate three hundred and four (304) kegs of PMS of 25 liters each, sealed up the filling station along with (6) petrol tankers inside. Investigation is now ongoing.”
Compt. Oramalugo highlighted other seizures made during the period under review to include:
*16,375 liters of PMS;
*210 cartons of foreign spaghetti;
*34 bales of second hand clothes; and
*109 cartons of confectionaries, among others.
According to the controller, the Duty Paid Value of the seized items is twenty three million, one hundred and forty one thousand, and eight hundred and three naira (23,141,803).
He used the occasion to send a strong warning to all smugglers and their enablers in Kebbi State to desist from their nefarious acts.
” We will not fold our arms and allow any filling station to be used as a conduit pipe for smuggling PMS out of the country. Our government pays heavily to subsidize the product for our citizens which makes it illegal and morally reprehensible for few individuals to divert it for their own aggrandizement.
“We remain resolute in frustrating their illegal ventures as we are morally and logistically equipped and have the gallantry to scuttle all their activities”, he warned.
Dr. Oramalugo expressed appreciation to all well-meaning citizens who help with useful information to nip smuggling in the bud.
He is also grateful to other units in the Service and sister agencies for their timely intervention anytime the command reach out to them for their support.
