COMPT ADELAJA IS NOT LOOKING BACK; RAKES IN N468.7 MILLION WORTH OF SEIZURES IN 17 DAYS
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
Seizures worth more than N468.7 million were made by the Oyo/Osun Command of the Customs service in the last 17 days.
Its helmsman, Compt Joseph Adelaja disclosed to newsmen today in Ibadan.
He said that the achievement was a product of effective intelligence sharing by the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Customs police unit and the unwavering support of relevant stakeholders who collaborated with the command to accomplish this milestone.
Some of the prohibited cargoes seized include; Foreign parboiled rice, Cannabis Sativa, Used Tyres, Used Clothes, Used Shoes and Used Compressors with a Duty Paid Value of Four Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Two Naira Only ₦468,706,602.00k.
Notably, these Foreign Parboiled Rice were concealed in three heavy-duty trucks. Unfortunately, these trucks were used to smuggle prohibited items. These illegal activities do not only undermine the nation’s economic development but also pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of our citizens.
The Compt sounded a note of warning to smugglers who persist in engaging in illegal activities that are detrimental to the economic growth of our nation that the Oyo/Osun Area Command will leave no stone unturned to enforce necessary compliance of Customs laws. He assured the general public that the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command remain resolute in the fight against smuggling and illicit trade, as we would not relent on our efforts to curb these unlawful acts. On this note, he called on the relevant stakeholders and patriotic citizens to continue extending their maximum support and cooperation in the fight against smuggling and other illegal activities. Your unwavering support is invaluable and will greatly enhance our ability to effectively discharge our duties in safeguarding the nation’s economy.
During his maiden press briefing, he reported that within the 22 days of his assumption of duty, significant milestones were recorded both in the area of revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities, you would recall that the sum of ₦2,048,487,969.00k (Two billion, forty-eight million, four hundred and eighty-seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-nine naira only) was generated as revenue for the period of 1st February – 27th February 2025, while the sum of ₦165,387,000.00k (One hundred and sixty-five million, three hundred and eighty-seven thousand naira only) was recorded for the anti-smuggling activities during this same period.
Following the milestones recorded within his first 22days in office, the Oyo/Osun Area Command remain committed to the Nigeria Customs Service mandate of revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade and the suppression of smuggling. The Command has continued to intensify it efforts in the area of anti-smuggling by ensuring the compliance with Customs regulations and safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.
Compt Adelaja seized the opportunity to appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR fnipr psc+ and his Management Team for the unwavering support extended to the Officers and Men of the Command in ensuring the efficient discharge of our duties.
He also uses the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Abiodun Makinde fse, for his unwavering dedication and the pivotal role he played in ensuring that the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command operate in an enabling environment to effectively discharge our primary duties.
While extending his sincere appreciation to their esteemed traditional rulers for their continuous support and cooperation, which remain invaluable to the success of our operations. He also acknowledge the unwavering commitment and collaboration of our sister security agencies within the state. To the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, he sincerely commend their resilience, dedication, and commitment to suppressing smuggling and ensuring compliance with Customs extant laws. ‘Your efforts are duly recognized and appreciated’. ‘I urge you all to remain steadfast and intensify your commitment to the discharge of your statutory duties’.
Lastly, he extends his profound gratitude to our esteemed members of the press for their unwavering support and dedication in disseminating accurate information to the public about the activities of the Command.