Ogun customs arrest 15 smugglers, intercepts N5bn contraband

• Published date: 21 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

No fewer than 15 suspected smugglers and contraband worth over N5 billion were arrested and intercepted by men of the Ogun1 1 Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in 2022.

Controller of the command, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, said this while presenting the 2022 annual report to reporters at his Idiroko office, in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

According to Makinde, the command generated a sum of N97, 87,777.50 from the auction sales of petroleum products and baggage assessment of some items brought in from neighbouring countries.

Makinde disclosed that the revenue generated in 2022 represented an almost 300% increase on the year 2021 revenue, which was N36,655,401.50.

He explained that within the 12 months, 957 seizures were made, including 45,773 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, which is equivalent to 76 trailer loads, and 130 units of vehicles including foreign used vehicles and other vehicles used as means of conveying prohibited items.

He added: 'Other seizures recorded during the period under review include the following...