.Makes massive seizures of 76 Containers worth over N150B
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne, Rivers State has wrapped up year 2024 with remarkable achievements in its battle against smuggling and illicit trade, revenue generation and trade facilitation.
The Command surpassed it’s 2024 revenue target by N16B, makes massive seizures of 76 Containers worth over N150B.
Speaking at a briefing held on Tuesday, 31 December 2024 to mark the Command’s end of year activities, Area Controller Mohammed Babandede revealed that the Command surpassed it’s revenue target of N618 billion naira by N16 billion as it recorded N634 billion.
This according to him, accounts for 103% of the annual target and is more than the 2023 collection by 321 billion Naira, representing 98% increase over the 2023 generated revenue.
Comptroller Babandede attributed this feats to continuous Stakeholders engagement, synergy, mutual collaboration and intelligence sharing.
Comptroller Babandede showcasing recent seizures made by Officers and Men of the Command
He disclosed that in area of anti-smuggling, the Command made a total of 76 container seizures comprising of arms, ammunition, illicit medicine, vegetable oil, foot wares, donkey skin, used cloths among others uncustomed goods used as concealment with a duty paid value of ₦150,872,551,207 for the year 2024.
“In export, the major commodities exported through this axis comprises of Agro and Mineral resources namely: sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, granular urea in bulk, wheat bran, orange peel among others and a total of 2,707,339.22 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $952,986,490.99 which is equivalent to ₦1,261,039,933,168.99 was processed through the Command this year,” he added.
Comptroller Babandede further informed that Officers and Men of the Command successfully intercepted and seized 12 containers (40 feet) of illicit medicine, between 11 November and 31 December 2024, which added value to the total 76 Containers seized for the whole year.
He gave a breakdown of the latest seizures, which included- 1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine; 510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac; 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal apple Tramadol and Tramaking; 3,461 pieces of Sanitary ware Fittings used for concealment; 840 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment; 153 cartons of TVS rubber, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦20,309,890,800.
The Area Controller posited that the latest seizure underscored the passion and diligence of the Officers and Men of Onne Command in ensuring that illicit drug and other harmful goods do not find their way into our country through our area of responsibility.
“It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health, ensuring security of our nation and compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations. This also justifies our commitment to trade facilitation, transparency, effective and efficient service delivery.“It shows our efforts are geared toward securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of entry points into the country through the Onne, port axis,” he said.
The Command’s helmsman also spoke on the honour given to the Command by the Comptroller General of Customs at the CGC’S award night saying it lifted and bolstered his Officers’ morale.
According to him, “It is worth noting that the morale and dedication of our officers have been significantly bolstered by the Comptroller-General of Customs’ award, recognizing Area 2 Command as the best Command in anti-smuggling operations. This honor has further strengthened our resolve, and I assure you that we will not relent in performing our duties to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerians”.
Speaking on the recently released 2024 promotion for General Duty/Support Staff for officers and men of the Service, Comptroller Babandede informed that Area 2 Command got some officers elevated in rank.
His words, “A total of 14 Deputy Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Comptroller. A total of 6 Assistant Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Comptrollers and 17 Chief Superintendent of Customs were elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptrollers. Other newly promoted officers include 22 to Chief Superintendent of Customs, 4 to Superintendent of Customs, 18 to Deputy Superintendent of Customs, 14 to Assistant Superintendent of One and 16 to Assistant Superintendent of Two. Junior Officers were also promoted as 9 got Inspector of Customs, 3 got Customs Assistant One and 3 got Customs Assistant Two.
“Let me use this opportunity to specially appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr, who in September this year promised to reward Officers and men of the Command for the role they played in the Interception of 844 units of riffles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition. In keeping to his promise a total of Eight (8) Officers of the Command were given special promotion”.
