Comptroller Ben Oramalugo Phd, Customs Top High Flier Performer Sets Seme Agog with Spectacular Operational Feat in One Month
… Fortifies Seme Border Security, Showcases N743M Revenue, Humongous Seizures worth N267M
With a new Customs Sheriff in town, there tend to have beckon a new operational narrative at the Seme Krake Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) after some period of lull in activities at the foremost border command, regarded as the busiest border in West African sub-region.
Thanks to the recent deployment of its present Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ben Oramalugo PhD, Cert Harvard, FCIA, FNIM, a top Flier Customs Comptroller whose enforcement antecedents especially in the area of Anti-Smuggling speaks much volumes right from his leadership marks first at Kebbi command, then Oyo/Osun and presently at the Seme Border Command. He has since a month of assuming duty at the command left no stone unturned in terms of the command’s operational performance which is gradually attaining its vibrancy status characterised with beehive of activities.
In his maiden Press Conference held at the Hall of the Joint Border Post in the ECOWAS complex, Seme- Krake Border, Comptroller Oramalugo gave an overview operational activity of the command since he assumed office on February 11, 2025.
According to him, since taking over as the Area Controller, the Command has implemented strategic measures to enhance revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and inter-agency collaboration. He noted that the efforts align with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who often emphasized synergy among stakeholders to combat smuggling and strengthen border security.
While being pleased that the numerous reform mechanisms undertaken by the command under his watch have started yielded positive results, Comptroller Oramalugo reeled out his led Seme Area command’s spectacular performance in revenue generation, which is one of its core mandates, as he disclosed a total revenue collection of Seven Hundred and Forty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Two Naira and Sixteen Kobo (743,728,652.16k) only for the month of February 2025 alone when he assumed office. The CAC noted that the remarkable achievement underscores his operative’s commitment to blocking revenue leakages and ensuring maximum collection for national development.
Similarly, the command according to the CAC made a major unprecedented inroad in its Anti-Smuggling campaign operations, which is another very important mandate of the foremost border command, as Dr. Oramalugo said the command’s intensified enforcement operations under his watch have led to the interception of several prohibited and offensive items. He noted that, the Command within the period under review has seized the following under listed items, which include; Four Hundred and Forty-Four (444) Parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), One Hundred and Eighty-One (181) Packs of Tramadol, Six Hundred (600) Bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), Two Hundred and Forty (240) Kegs of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).
Others are; One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Nine (1,809) Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each), Seventeen (17) Sacks of Used Shoes, Fifty-Six (56) Bales of Used Clothes and Two Hundred and Three (203) Pieces of Used Tyres.
He puts the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the various seizures to Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Fifty-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira (N267,054,172.00k) only.
Oramalugo explained that the seizures contravene relevant sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 (NCSA 23), while he reaffirmed the command’s commitment to suppress smuggling within the Seme border corridor.
On the seized Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), Comptroller Oramalugo noted that, along with the approval of the CGC, the hard drugs have been handed over to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration.
On Inter-Agency Engagement and Collaboration with Stakeholders, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo said, he recognized the importance of collaboration in achieving the command’s objectives, as his led management engaged with key stakeholders, including Traditional Rulers and Security Agencies to foster strong relationships with stakeholders, reinforcing security measures and promoting seamless trade facilitation in the region.
He said, these engagements facilitated improved intelligence-sharing and coordination, reinforcing the command s commitment to national security, economic regulation, and the fight against smuggling. “Our mission at Seme Area Command extends beyond revenue collection, it encompasses national security and economic growth, which are best achieved through strong institutional partnerships,” the CAC said.
In the area of Operational Restructuring, the CAC said that the Command was able to undertake critical restructuring of key sections, which led to an enhanced operational efficiency and ensured optimal performance. He further revealed that this has led to strategic redeployment of officers for better vigilance and proactive border security operations and Increased accountability and improved revenue collection.
On Trade Facilitation, another core function of the service, the CAC said that the Command facilitated a total of over Twenty-Eight Thousand metric tonnes (28,395.293) equivalent to Eight Hundred and Six (806) trucks of export produce for the month of February 2025, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of Seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira (N-7,852,172,249.00k) only, which is equivalent to Four Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Seven Dollars, Seventy-Eight Cents. That is (4,995,527.78 USD) only.
He further said that the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was Thirty-Nine Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-One Naira, Twenty-Five Kobo (N 39, 260, 861.25k) only, while the total surcharge during the month of February is Two Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira (N-2, 433, 433.00k) only.
The CAC further said the Command will leverage on the trade facilitation initiatives to foster a more efficient, transparent and predictable trade environment thereby contributing to Nigeria’s growth and development.
The elated CAC further said, the achievements of the Seme Area Command within this short period are the result of the unwavering support of the CGC and his NCS Management Team, the dedication and professionalism of his officers, the effective deployment of intelligence-driven strategies and robust inter-agency collaboration as well as stakeholder engagement.
He however reeled out their strategic plans moving forward with the significant strides recorded, as he ensured the resoluteness of his led Seme command in its commitment to further strengthened engagement with traditional rulers and community leaders, enhancing surveillance and patrol activities to eliminate smuggling operations as well as deploying advanced intelligence strategies to disrupt illicit trade networks.
While concluding, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo gave stern warning to smugglers and their collaborators, noting that their illegal activities will not be tolerated. He explained that “Smuggling is an act of economic sabotage, and the Seme Area Command is fully prepared to track down, arrest, and prosecute offenders.
“I strongly advise all individuals involved in smuggling to embrace legitimate trade and contribute to national economic growth, rather than engaging in criminal activities that undermine our country’s economy,” the CAC said.
While he avowed to continue with the proactive measures so far implemented to ensure even greater service delivery in the months ahead, Comptroller Oramalugo expressed sincere appreciation to the CGC and his Management team for their unwavering support by providing equipment in carrying out our mandate, the security and inter-agency partners for their collaboration, as well as the media for their role in disseminating customs activities to the general public.
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