How Ogun 1 Customs Command Achieved Unprecedented Milestones Under Comptroller Ojo

How Ogun 1 Customs Command Achieved Unprecedented Milestones Under Comptroller Ojo

By prince Benson Davies

The Ogun 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Idiroko under the leadership of its Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller James Ojo has Achieved some unprecedented milestones since he took over as the CAC with his wealth of experience from previous roles across the country.

Under Comptroller Ojo’s leadership, the command has consistently exceeded its revenue targets, contributing significantly to the NCS’s overall revenue, just as it intensified its anti-smuggling efforts resulting in numerous seizures of contraband goods.
Comptroller Ojo has fostered strong relationships with local communities, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation and prioritized capacity building through training and development to enhance operational efficiency of the officers and men.
The professionalism and dedication of the officers has led to the seizures of contraband goods valued at ₦1.2 billion in one single operation, while its revenue profile has surged to over ₦5.3 billion within a month, exceeding its target.
Its collaboration with stakeholders has led to discussion of trade facilitation and compliance, while the command’s strategic operations and enforcement have successfully led to to the defeat of smugglers and economic saboteurs at Idiroko in alignment with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Bashir Adeniyi.
In his reform agenda, Ojo, who has expressed commitment to overcoming the economic challenges in Nigeria through effective customs operations, urged Nigerians to support and cooperate with the NCS.
Since taking over from Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, his administration marked a new era for the Ogun 1 Command, just as his collaboration and cooperation has continually emphasized the importance of teamwork and cooperation among stakeholders to achieve customs goals.
These accomplishments demonstrate Comptroller Ojo’s dedication to enhancing customs operations and promoting economic growth in Nigeria even as the command faces significant challenges in combating petroleum smuggling in the border areas of Idiroko. Smuggling activities have been a persistent issue in this region, fueled by factors such as economic instability, corruption, and lack of effective border control ¹.
His words: “I took over from Compt. Shauibu who is now in charge of Zone B at Kaduna. When I came, I saw what he has done in terms of seizures in terms of revenue he has generated officers’ readiness to work, relationship with other agencies and stakeholders. I took over and went straight to action.

“I met various stakeholders, I visited the traditional rulers in Idiroko and seek their cooperation and assistance, because over the years, there have been this unfriendly relationship between the Customs and the community.

“So I came to ask them what the problems were and they were able to say what the problems are and I assured them that those problems will be solved. And I’m happy to say that most of those problems are no longer there now. We enjoy good working relationship and they come here regularly and we exchange greetings.
“On anti-smuggling, our command is an enforcement command and my officers have been up and doing, we have been able to make a lot of seizures, thousand Bags of Rice, Maize, Cannabis, used vehicles and others. The officers have been working and I promised everybody when I came in that the era of cock and shoot gun to kill people everywhere is over.”

He explained that presently the Customs is becoming more of a global thing rather than the use of force, adding: “We deploy intelligence to gather some of the things we want to act on, I want to say that has yielded fruitful results.

“A lot of seizures have been made through that effort without actually shooting a gun. Since I came, we have not recorded any casualty, either from the officers’ side or the opposite site. So we have always been doing our work without any casualty.”
On revenue, I made the revenue at N12m per month, and the last time I held press conference here, we were able to raise the revenue to about N77 million. So we are improving on the record we met on ground and we are actually doing it well. The command is peaceful, the officers are going about their normal duties, we are performing our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Our hospital is there for the community to use, they are delivering babies, we are having surgeries being performed in the hospital, the hospital is expanding, we make sure we expand the hospital for the influx of the people that will be coming from the community. We are happy to do that because it is one of our CSR to them. So it can show that we too have something to give to the community. This is one of the area we have assisted the community.
Among other achievements, he explained that another area is Primary and Secondary Schools funded by the revenue generated from the school, adding: “That is where we pay the teachers, but I must tell you that I was lucky to meet the CGC in Lagos and I discussed about the school with him of the possibility for customs absorbing those teaching with us presently.

Speaking further, Ojo said: “All these things are possible due to the encouragement from our CGC. The CGC is somebody that will encourage you to work, he is not a bully, he doesn’t harass or intimidate officers, he will analyze things and to make you see reasons why you should do your job. So, we are all happy that we have him at the helm of affairs.

“We pray that God will give him good health to lead the Service as expected. The Service has been doing well since he came onboard and everybody is attesting to it, government is attesting to it, the public and officers are attesting to it. We are enjoying the dividend of his leadership, salary wise, promotions , training, there is hardly any week the headquarters will not call officers for training, either in Abuja, Port Harcourt,

“Lagos has been training and retraining. So many things have been brought to the Service, so as to widen the scope of officers and to make sure they are always alive to their responsibilities.

Although rice has not been officially banned, it’s importation is subject to a temporary suspension,” it’s part of a larger effort to promote local rice production and reduce reliance on import

In fact the federal government has announce a suspension of duties ,on tariffs , taxes on rice and other stable food items imported into the country, this move aims to check inflation and hunger among citizens

It’s worth noting that the government has also considering removing rice from the import duties
However the current status of rice remains under suspension

Regrettably, some of the imported rice we’ve intercepted have no nutritional value whatsoever.”the Comptroller concluded

 

In a recent development in a significant breakthrough in the fight against illicit drugs, the Ogun 1 Customs Command also on Friday 22 November 2024 handed over a massive haul of 7,217,7 kilograms of Cannabis and Tramadol tablets to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abeokuta

The seizure, which is one of the largest in recent times,is a testament in to the Ogun 1 Customs Command commitment to curbing the illicit drugs trade in the country

The NDLEA has commended the Customs Command for it’s efforts in intercepting the consignment and pledged to continue working together to rid the country of illicit drugs

Addressing the press at the Customs House in Abeokuta the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller James Ojo, highlighted the scale and impact of the Command’s efforts. The seizures, which include 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels of cannabis sativa, were the result of intelligence-led operations conducted at strategic locations across Ogun State. “Between 13 October and 12 November 2024 alone, we intercepted 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337 kg, and 362 packs of Tramaking tablets, abandoned in locations such as the Abeokuta axis, Agbawo/Igankoto area in Yewa North Local Government, and Imeko Afon axis. These operations exemplify the NCS’s dedication to combating drug smuggling and protecting the well-being of our citizens,” Comptroller Ojo stated.

Comptroller Ojo described the escalating activities of drug smugglers as alarming but assured Nigerians of the Command’s resilience in tackling this menace. “These seizures not only disrupt the supply chain of dangerous substances but also serve as a warning to drug traffickers. Our operatives are resolute in ensuring that no illicit items cross our borders.” Comptroller Ojo acknowledged the crucial role of collaboration in achieving these successes. He credited the synergy between the Command’s intelligence units, sister security agencies, and local informants for the monumental interceptions.

In line with standard operating procedures of the NCS, the seized items were handed over to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, CN Olusegun Adeyeye, for further investigation and necessary legal action. This handover, the Comptroller noted, reflects the NCS’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law.

The Comptroller attributed the Command’s success to the strong leadership and support provided by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. He praised the enabling environment created by the CGC, which has strengthened operations and bolstered the Command’s efficiency.

Ojo concluded by reaffirming the Command’s dedication to ensuring the safety, security, and health of Nigerians. He pledged continued enhancement of intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation to combat all forms of smuggling and criminal activities. The NCS, Ogun I Area Command, calls on the public to support its efforts by providing credible information and working together to build a safer and drug-free Nigeria.