The Seme Border Customs Area Command intercepts 373,440 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and generates over N2.6 billion revenue within five months
Seme Border Customs Area Command recently achieved big defeat against die-hard smugglers operating within its domain. The Command under the leadership of Comptroller Timi Bomodi, besides the significant strides in its anti-smuggling operations, also achieved huge revenue generation in the first quarter of 2024.
At a media briefing held at the Command’s headquarters, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bomodi disclosed that there was interception of numerous contraband items and the arrest of multiple suspects.
Among the seized items were 373,440 litres of fuel, 428 wild animals, and ten trailer loads of rice. Bomodi said the Command also intercepted 12,448 jerrycans of PMS, 6,467 bags of rice, 15 used vehicles, 1,251 parcels of cannabis sativa, and various other contrabands. These seizures were valued at over ₦840 million.
The CAC, Bomodi stated that there has been increase in illegal importation of Cannabis sativa from Ghana and other parts of Africa, while the smugglers have devised different methods of operating in their effort to beat officers of the command and such plans have always been neutralized.
“The illegal importation of cannabis from Ghana has been on the rise, with criminals employing various methods to evade capture. However, our officers have effectively neutralized these efforts,” Comptroller Bomodi said.
The wild animals seized included 20 live parrots, two honey badgers, pelican birds, and 404 live tortoises. Other items confiscated included 149 packages of codeine and 45 used tires.
The Command also reported the arrest of an alleged notorious smuggler, whose activities had plagued the area for some time, along with 18 other suspects. These arrests marked a significant victory in the ongoing war against smuggling at the border.
Bomodi said, “A notorious smuggler has also been arrested by our officers. He thinks he is above the law and cannot be arrested. He will be used as an example so others will also know that once they are caught, they will be made to face the law.
In the area of revenue generation, Bomodi said the Command collected N2.634 billion in the first quarter, marking a 272 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge in revenue collection underscores the Command’s enhanced efforts in anti-smuggling operations and efficient revenue collection.
Export activities facilitated by the Command included 143,468 metric tonnes of produce with a Free On Board (FOB) value of ₦35.199 billion, equivalent to $38.461 million. The NESS value paid was ₦174.518 million, utilizing 406 SGDs from January to May 26, 2024.
In compliance with directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Seme Command is committed to transparency and has established a Complaint Desk to address issues of molestation, particularly concerning females going about their daily activities.
“We strongly frown upon any act endangering the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. A desk has been set up so that any female harassed by either officers or stakeholders can lay their complaint and such will definitely get justice. Stringent actions will be taken against any officer found guilty of such misconduct,” Comptroller Bomodi said.
