FIC Report (Oyo State) – In a significant operation against illegal trade, the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over counterfeit pharmaceuticals worth N596,856,500 and 49 sacks of cannabis, valued at N46,935,000, to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), respectively.
The formal handover took place Friday, November 1,at the Oyo/Osun Customs Headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan. While transferring the seized items, the Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Customs Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, highlighted the command’s success in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
Dr. Oramalugo disclosed that the command recovered over N57 billion in revenue from anti-smuggling activities conducted from August 30 to October 29, 2024. During this period, the command intercepted contraband goods worth approximately N755 million, reinforcing their commitment to tackling illegal trade. “We are committed to ensuring that every kobo due to the government is collected despite the economic challenges,” he emphasized.
In Q3 2024, the command reported a revenue of N23.9 billion, marking a 27.5% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Cumulatively, between January and September 2024, they generated N56.6 billion, reflecting a 7.85% growth over the previous year.
Dr. Oramalugo underscored the importance of accountability and strategic efforts in revenue collection, stating, “Despite financial strains, our success in revenue collection is a testament to our strategies and hard work.” He added that the command will continue to enhance compliance, enforcement, and monitoring for better efficiency.
Among the seized items showcased by the command were 433 bags (50kg each) of foreign parboiled rice valued at N41,568,000, 61 bales and 10 sacks of second-hand clothing worth N54.6 million, 93 used foreign tires valued at N8.9 million, 49 sacks of cannabis weighing 744.9 kg valued at N46.9 million, and 8,850 liters of petroleum motor spirit with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N7 million.
Dr. Oramalugo stressed the harmful impact of smuggling on the economy and pledged ongoing efforts to curb illegal trade while facilitating legitimate business. He also noted plans to enhance training programs for customs officers, emphasizing that “by building capacity and equipping our personnel with modern skills, we can better address emerging threats and maximize operational efficiency.”
As part of the handover, Dr. Oramalugo reiterated the Customs’ role in safeguarding public health by ensuring harmful substances do not reach consumers. “This is part of our responsibility to protect the public,” he said, referencing the large-scale seizure of fake pharmaceuticals and cannabis handed over to NAFDAC and NDLEA.
In their response, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, the Southwest Director of NAFDAC, and Mr. Sam-Abogunrin Olatunji, acting Principal Staff Officer of Operations at NDLEA, affirmed their agencies’ commitment to partnering with Customs in combating illegal trade. Both officials expressed their readiness to strengthen collaborative efforts in surveillance and enforcement, ensuring a united front against smuggling and a safer community.
Signed
TAOFEEK TOPE AKOREDE
[Mr Akorede is an IT student at the Centre),
Edites by Moses Oyelade, AD(I&PR),
FIC, IBADAN
