By: Peace Udugba.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, has impounded three exotic vehicles, including a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦905 million.
Other vehicles seized include a 2014 Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC valued at ₦21,423,400 and a 2018 Honda Accord worth ₦32,200,000.
Additional contraband intercepted during the review period includes 4,424 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to over seven truckloads), 1,936 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana), and 105 used tyres. The total Duty Paid Value of all the seized items stands at ₦1,401,531,923.95.
The Comptroller of Ogun 1 Area Command, Godwin Otunla, disclosed this during a press briefing held in Idiroko on Thursday.
Otunla stated that the seizures were a result of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating the menace of smuggling, adding that they would not yield to the antics of recalcitrant economic saboteurs who seek to undermine the nation’s economy and security.
He emphasized that the Command had intensified its intelligence network and enforcement strategies to effectively intercept smuggled goods across identified flashpoints and border communities.
Comptroller Otunla commended the dedication and resilience of the officers and men of Ogun 1 Area Command, while urging residents of border areas to support the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service by providing credible information on illegal activities.
He added, “We remain resolute in our responsibility to safeguard the economy and ensure the safety of Nigerians by curbing the influx of contraband items and illegal trade.”
Otunla reiterated that the NCS would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to enhance border security, warning smugglers to desist from their unlawful activities or face the full wrath of the law.
He assured that the Command would not be distracted or intimidated in carrying out its statutory duties, stressing the need for economic patriotism and public cooperation.
