Ogun II customs generates ₦7.58bn in October

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun II Area Command, generated ₦7.58 billion in revenue in October 2026, representing a 75 per cent increase in collection. The Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Dennis Ituma, disclosed this during his maiden parade address to officers and men at the Command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Ituma, who expressed satisfaction with the revenue performance, described the 75 per cent growth as commendable and urged personnel to sustain the momentum through improved monitoring, accurate declarations and measures to prevent revenue leakages. He also outlined his leadership priorities, emphasising discipline, accountability, professionalism and teamwork in the discharge of the Command’s statutory responsibilities.

The development was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, IC MO Alli, and made available to journalists in Abeokuta. According to the statement, Ituma said revenue generation remained a collective responsibility requiring diligence and commitment from all officers. He stressed the need to explore legitimate opportunities to improve revenue collection without compromising trade facilitation and national security.

The Acting Controller commended officers for their dedication, sacrifices and contributions to the advancement of the Service, urging them to maintain their commitment to achieving the Command’s operational objectives. As part of efforts to promote excellence and healthy competition, Ituma announced the introduction of the Controller’s Award for Outstanding Officers in the Ogun II Area Command.

He said the award would recognise exceptional performance in four key areas: trade facilitation, revenue generation, neatness and discipline. He disclosed that a committee would be constituted to coordinate the initiative and establish transparent and credible criteria for selecting deserving officers. The committee would also oversee and monitor factories operating under the Command to strengthen operational supervision, promote compliance with established procedures and provide relevant feedback and recommendations.

On capacity development, Ituma announced plans to introduce in-house training programmes, particularly in excise procedures and free trade zone operations, to improve officers’ technical knowledge, professional competence and consistency in applying relevant regulations. He encouraged personnel to take advantage of the training opportunities, noting that continuous learning and professional development were essential to improved service delivery.

The Acting Controller also urged officers to maintain accurate personal and payroll records, resolve discrepancies promptly through appropriate administrative channels and comply strictly with regulations governing official movement and travel with authorised passes. On discipline, he described it as the foundation of every successful paramilitary institution, stressing that it must be reflected in officers’ appearance, punctuality, conduct, respect for constituted authority and obedience to lawful instructions.

He warned that negligence, indiscipline and any conduct capable of bringing the Service into disrepute would not be treated lightly. “Discipline must be reflected in our appearance, punctuality, comportment, respect for constituted authority and commitment to assigned responsibilities,” he said. Reaffirming his leadership philosophy, Ituma maintained that rank must be matched with responsibility, accountability and dedication, urging officers to demonstrate professionalism at every level.

He assured personnel of his commitment to recognising outstanding performance, promoting professional development and entrenching a culture of discipline and integrity. The Acting Controller expressed confidence that collective commitment, unity and professionalism would enhance the Command’s operational efficiency and position it as a model of discipline and outstanding performance within the Nigeria Customs Service.

He urged officers to remain focused on the Service’s core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling, stressing the need to safeguard Nigeria’s economic and security interests.