Otunla assumes duty as new Customs Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command

• Vows to combat smuggling, enforce trade laws

From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

Comptroller Godwin Otunla assumed duty as the new Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command on Thursday, pledging to use all lawful means to combat smuggling and enforce trade laws.

Speaking to journalists after taking over from Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, Otunla vowed that the Command would not tolerate economic sabotage under his leadership.

Otunla thanked Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his team for the assignment, promising to uphold professionalism, integrity, and national service. “I do not take this trust for granted, and I assure you all that I will give it my best, guided by the values of professionalism,” he stressed.

He praised Shuaibu’s achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling efforts, and community engagement, noting the Command’s unique challenges due to its border location and socio-economic dynamics. Otunla outlined his vision to build on these gains, focusing on operational efficiency, enforcement, intelligence-led operations, and stakeholder collaboration.

In his handover remarks, Shuaibu highlighted his three-month tenure’s achievements, including N43,412,794 in revenue from January to April 2025 and 161 seizures of prohibited items, such as 3,699 parcels of cannabis sativa, 150 sacks of Indian hemp, three single-barrel long guns, four packets of 100 cartridges, and 7 billion CFA.

“What comes to mind first and foremost was revenue we generated during the period,” he stated. “Under my leadership, the Command generated Forty Three Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Four Naira (N43,412,794.00) from January to April this year 2025.”

Shuaibu thanked the Comptroller-General for the opportunity and the Ogun 1 Area Command’s officers for their support, urging them to cooperate fully with Otunla.