Oyo/Osun Customs’ Area Command seizes 750 bags of smuggled rice

Oyo/Osun Customs’ Area Command seizes 750 bags of smuggled rice

A total of 750 bags of rice in 50 kilogrammes was intercepted and seized early this month by the Oyo/Osun States Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Crime Reports has learnt.

In a press release signed by the Area Controller, Mr Richard Oteri, Crime Reports gathered that on Monday, July 7, 2014, at 11.07p.m., one of the Area Command’s patrol teams led by Joseph Alajogun, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs, acted on information and intercepted two DAF ten-tyre trucks, with registration numbers AKD 15 XB and JJJ 998 XL, loaded with the bags of rice along Igbeti axis of Oyo State.

The two trucks were reported to have conveyed 500 and 250 bags of rice respectively which were concealed with veterinary chemicals/products. The Duty Paid Value of the rice bags was put at N4,170,000million.

In the statement made available to Crime Reports, Mr Oteri said that the seizure showed his command’s resolve to make the Oyo/Osun States a no hiding place for unpatriotic Nigerians who engage in the illicit business of smuggling.

“We use this medium to re-state that the importation of rice through the border remains prohibited and all those who wish to do so should use the nation’s sea ports,” Oteri stated.

He also revealed that the Oyo/Osun Area Command in the first six months of the year 2014 (January – June) collected a total revenue of about N6.68billion and made a total of 247 seizures with a duty paid value of N337,213.2 million.

“Remarkably, a total of 7089 (50kg), 23 (25kg) and 20 (10kg) bags of rice with a total duty paid value of N85,338,472.55 were among these seizures,” he said.

Mr Oteri stated further that the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abudullahi Inde Dikko was passionately committed to reducing smuggling of rice into the country and his Area Command was determined to ensure compliance within its area of operation
.