Bashir Adeniyi, acting comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area I Command, reported on Friday that the command had seized illegal commodities worth N241 million over the previous two weeks.

At a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun, Mr. Adeniyi stated as much. He also stated that between September 18 and September 30, the officers of command recovered 1,436 used pneumatic tyres, 53 sacks, and 569 packets of cannabis sativa totalling 1,179 kilogrammes.

The head of customs claimed that in addition to 32 cars used for transportation, the officers also seized 3,149 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.

He clarified that the N241,977,943 duty paid value (DPV) of the items seized.

Ijebu-Ode axis, Papa/Ajegunle, Ilaro road, Imasayi/Joga, and Odogbolu bush route along Ijebu-Ode road in Ogun, among other places, Mr. Adeniyi noted, were among the areas where the seizures were carried out.

“Our officers’ unwavering commitment and never-ending efforts in Zone A, particularly the Ogun 1 Area Command, have paid off, leading to the interception of cannabis sativa, used pneumatic tyres, and vehicles hauling 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice,” the official claimed.

Mr. Adeniyi observed that the majority of the tyres had outlived the suggested time frame starting from the dates of manufacturing.

According to the head of customs, rising drug use has raised concerns and contributed to a rise in abuse in society, particularly among young people.

Mr. Adeniyi warned persons involved in illegal trade to stop doing so since they had a negative impact on the nation’s ability to generate income.

By Cynthia