Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt Area 2 Customs Command, Onne said it has generated the sum of Two Hundred and Forthy-six Billion, Twenty-five Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Three Naira, Eighty Kobo (N246,025,872,903.80) from January to October, 2023.
This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Baba Imam while briefing the Press on the achievements of the Command in the past nine months.
According to him, the command seized nine containers with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,162,424,371.00.
“In our commitment and resolve at bringing down the incidences of smuggling to the bearest minimum within this Area Command, we have on display today a total of nine seized containers for violations or contraventions of extant import prohibition laws” Comptroller Imam said.
The Comptroller said the amount represents an increase of N44,145,889,008.65 as against the revenue of 2022.
He pointed out that the sum of N38bn was realised in the month of October alone as against the monthly revenue target of N28bn of his Command, which is an increase of N10bn. The CAC expressed confidence that his Command will surpass its annual target at last.
The CAC said the seized containers carried contraband, comprising 724 bales of used clothing, 1,805 pieces of used tyres, 4 vehicles concealing 76.9Kg cannabis, 2070 cartons of tomato paste and 1,578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with Codeine100ml.
This, he said is in contravention of extant import prohibition laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Comptroller also told journalists that the Command arrested two suspects in connection with importation of a pistol and 100 pieces of 9mm ammunition cleverly concealed into an imported vehicle and declared as household effects, pointing out that the suspects and the arms will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigations and prosecution as provided for in the law.
Beyond these collaborative functions with other Government agencies and the seizures, also, in the area of revenue generation and collection, this Area Command has generated a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 from January 2023 to October 2023, this represents a significant increment of ₦44,145,889,008.65 over the amount generated for 2022.
It is pertinent to state here that the Command realized the sum of over 38 Billion Naira for the month of October alone, exceeding its monthly revenue target of 28 Billion Naira with an increment of over 10 Billion Naira.
“Let me at this junction be emphatic that we do not just take delight in impounding containers or making seizures of contraband goods, rather we do this to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrent to others.
“The Command and indeed the Customs of today has zero tolerance to smuggling and has no cause not to perform as every encouragement, logistics and other incentives have been given by our amiable Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, DSM, FNIPR, PSC (+) and that has boosted the morale of all officers to be more determined than ever to fight smuggling.
Comptroller Imam stressed that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) does not derive joy in confiscating goods, but must enforce the laws of the land to deter smugglers and other criminals.
“Let me at this juncture be emphatic that we do not take delight in impounding containers or making seizures of contraband goods, rather we do this to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrent to others,” the Comptroller said.
“On the 26th of October 2023, in the course of examination of an imported container from United State which was declared to contain household effects and one used vehicle, was found to contain one pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition. The operatives of the Customs Intelligence Unit attached to the group of examination officers was instrumental to the discovery of the Pistol and 100 rounds of live ammunition concealed within the vehicle.
“Consequently, two suspects have been arrested in connection to this importation. The pistol, ammunition as well as the two suspects shall all be handed over to the Nigerian police force shortly after this press briefing, as criminal cases relating to our collaborative functions with other Government agencies are handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution”
Receiving the arms, ammunitions and the two suspects on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Eastern Ports, DCP, Operations Ashu Ottah said the handover was part of the collaboration of the Police with the Nigeria Customs Service. He assured that the suspects will be duly prosecuted after investigation is completed.
The Comptroller further said “Let me equally use this medium and urge members of the public to co-operate and support Government agencies whose role is bringing about social justice, stability and peace in the Society. In conclusion this Command has progressively sustained her past successes and will continue to do more before the end of the year”
“We will continue to partner with other Security Agencies to make this Area Command and indeed the country at large a safe place to dwell in”.
