Customs intercepts 19 boat engines, 8-trailer load of rice in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area One Command, intercepted 19 boat engines and an eight-trailer load of foreign rice during its antismuggling activities last month in Ogun State.

The boat engines – five new and 14 used pieces – worth N17.322million were reportedly caught at the bush part in the border area, with the smugglers taking to their heels.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, disclosed on Tuesday at the command’s Idiroko headquarters while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command for the month of April.

Makinde said during the period, the command generated N6,048,500.00 from auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol, intercepted at different locations and exit points to the Republic of Benin during antismuggling operations.

He disclosed that a total of 4,603 bags/50kg each of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 8-trailer load) were intercepted last month.

The Customs Controller said the command also seized 37,450 litres of PMS (1,498 kegs of 25 litres each), 300 cartons of frozen poultry products, 197 bags of African oil beans, 3 sacks of cannabis sativa, 900 pieces of machetes, 7 bales and 7 sacks of foreign used clothing.

He said the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seizures in the month of April amounts to N100,132,756.

He expressed hope that the command’s revenue generation would improve significantly following the recent reopening of the border at Idiroko.