Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday, said it has generated about N16.2 billion into the coffers of the Federal Government within a period of 11 months.

This was against N13.5 billion generated within the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 19.48 percent in  revenue collection.

Area Controller of the command, Mr. Elisha David Chikan,who made the disclosures while addressing journalists in Ibadan, said the revenue was generated from excise duties and duty paid on imported vehicles.

He vowed to eliminate smuggling of banned foreign goods because of its dire consequences on the nation's economy and security, stating "we will do everything within our capacity to fight it to a stand still”.

He explained that about 4,000 bags of (50kg) smuggled foreign rice were seized by men of the command between November and December, 2017.

Other items seized within the same period include one used MACK Trailer with 1,000 pieces of used tyres and 75 bales used clothes, one used FORD Bus with 30 bales of used clothing, one used AUDI 80 (Tokunbo Car), one used Toyota Corolla (Tokunbo Car) and 30 bales of used clothes.

He said, "The command has been doing very well in the area of revenue collection which comes purely from excise factories and few imports. The command generated the sum N16.2 billion as against N13.5 billion generated within the same period in 2016. This shows an increase of 19.48% in the revenue collection over last year".

According to the  Controller of Customs, four suspects were arrested  in connection with  smuggling of some prohibited items into the country and would soon be charged to court.

Speaking further on the  anti-smuggling activities of the command within the last 11 months, Chikan said "During the same period, the command made a total of hundred and eleven (111) seizures with a duty paid value (DPV) of two hundred and ten million, one hundred and eighty eight thousand, one hundred and thirty four naira, twenty four kobo (210, 188,134.24).

"The duty paid value (DPV) of the seized vehicles is put at N11,066,983.48k. The duty paid value of goods is put at N53,116,021.29k. The total duty paid value of all the seized items is N64, 183, 00. 77k", he stated.

He then lauded the efforts of officers and men of the Command who worked tirelessly to achieve the feat and promised to continue to put all machinery in place to motivate them.