By Oluseye Ojo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said advanced technology, including data analytics and artificial intelligence will be explored to enhance intelligence gathering and enforcement capability against smuggling in 2024.
The Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, made the disclosure at a press briefing on the performance of the command in 2023, as he outlined strategic plans for 2024.
According to him, the command’s strategic focus areas include enhanced collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, neighbouring commands and international partners to improve intelligence sharing and facilitate joint operations where possible; and investing in the continuous in-house training and skill development of Command personnel, to ensure they remain abreast of the latest trends in smuggling and customs enforcement. “The Command will expand the use of advanced technology, including data analytics and artificial intelligence, to enhance our intelligence gathering and enforcement capability.”
Oramalugo stated that between November 11, 2023, and December 31, 2023, the command collected ₦5,030,694,597.05 and ₦7,173,852,130.48 respectively into the Federation and Non-Federation Accounts.
“When added to the sum of ₦59,087,983,670.64 already collected for the period of January to October 2023, the cumulative sum of ₦71,292,530,398.17 was collected for the fiscal year of 2023.
He revealed that the command intercepted and seized many contraband goods worth N95,968,540 within the period, including one bale and two sacks of used bags; seven bales and two sacks of used shoes; three units of motor vehicles; 12 sacks and four wraps of cannabis sativa; and 11,850 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The list also comprised 1,341 pieces of used tyres; two bales of used belts; 194 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kilogrammes each); as well as 114 bales and two sacks of used clothings.
“When added to the worth of contraband goods already seized between January and October 2023, with a DPV of ₦358,267,019.00 the cumulative sum of ₦454,235,559.00 is the DPV of contraband goods intercepted and seized for the year of 2023.”
The command, between January 1st and 18th 2024, also intercepted and seized 70 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,325 litres of petrol, 100 pieces of timber, and one unit of motor vehicle, with total DPV of N30,464,500.