The Ogun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service said on Tuesday that it generated total revenue of N3.3 billion between January and March 2019.
Controller of the Command, Michael Agbara who made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the scorecard of the command said the revenue generated is against N1.3 billion collected in the corresponding period of 2018.
He said the command also seized 226 goods comprising of 83 units of vehicles (37 tokunbo and 46 means of conveyance), 12,720 bags of foreign rice, 446 kegs of vegetable oil, four units of motorcycles and 3 jumbo sacks of used foot wears,
Others are 22 bales and four sacks of second hand clothing, 33 pieces of handbags, 583 pieces of used tyres, 550 kegs of premium motor spirit of 25 litres each and eight sacks of cannabis sativa.
Agbara who stated that the command had taken various security measures to tackle all forms of smuggling in the area however noted that the activities were not without series of clashes between officers of the command and some dare devil smugglers leading to loss of lives and properties.
“It is pertinent to reiterate the fact that while the Service will continue to dialogue, engage, sensitize and educate the public on social and economic implication of smuggling, we will not relinquish our statutory functions of enforcing compliance with strict adherence to rules of engagement.
“It is pertinent to inform you that while the suspects involved in the murder of customs officer (Customs Assistant I Hamisu Sani) on 6th January 2019 are on trial, the command has succeeded in arresting three suspects involved in attack of officers on lawful duty at Papalanto on Friday 08th March, 2019.
“The suspects have been arraigned before the Federal High Court Abeokuta and are currently on remand in prison for obstruction of officers while on duty armed with dangerous weapons in contravention of Section 11 of CEMA CAP 45 LFN 2004 as amended.
“Also, the smuggler who mobilized okada riders to attack officers and even vandalized our signpost at Quarry Road, Abeokuta on Saturday 23rd March 2019 has been apprehended and is presently undergoing interrogation prior to arraignment in court,” he said.