.Seizes N84.2m Worth of Illicit Items
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Area Controller, Kebbi Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Chidi Chukwumeziri Nwokorie, has pledged to continue transforming the Command following the impressive generation of ₦13.4 million in just one month.
This achievement demonstrated the command’s potential for growth and improvement under Comptroller Nwokorie’s leadership.
Speaking at a briefing held at the Command’s Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, Comptroller Nwokorie made the pledge while expressing gratitude to God Almighty for HIS mercy; the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team, as well as Officers of the Command for their support towards achieving set mandates.
Comptroller Nwokorie revealed that within 42 days in office, the Command under his watch, made significant strides in revenue generation, despite the closure of the Tsamiya/Sebgana border.
He said through collaboration with the Niger Republic Customs, the command has achieved a seamless flow of cross-border trade, generating ₦13,378,002 in revenue within one month.
Anti-Smuggling Efforts
He said the Command has also recorded significant successes in its anti-smuggling efforts, seizing items worth ₦84,219,654.
These seizures include: 145 bales of used second-hand clothing; 114 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 20 cartons of new light cigarettes; 70 biggy vanilla wafer biscuits (expired); 27 cartons of Sunwatt (AA) dry batteries (expired); and 40 bags of foreign sugar.
“The Command was able to confiscate Thirteen Thousand, Seven Hundred And Fifty (13,750) Litres of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit), with fees value of Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (₦5,500,000). And this is usually auctioned to the public and the proceeds paid into the Federal Government’s coffers,” he added.
Comptroller Nwokorie attributed these successes to the command’s collaboration with sister agencies, including the NDLEA, NAFDAC, NPF, NSA, NIS, DSS, NA, and others.
Facilitating Legitimate Trade
The Comptroller-General of Customs has charged the command to support and facilitate legitimate trade, without compromising extant laws.
Comptroller Nwokorie urged stakeholders and legitimate traders to make the best use of the opportunities provided by the CGC, advancing and enhancing their businesses.
Interagency Collaboration
Comptroller Nwokorie has also fostered interagency collaboration, paying courtesy visits to sister agencies stationed in Kebbi State.
He has toured border stations, starting from Kamba to Doleikaina, Bagudo, Maje and Lolo, to inspect the environment and areas of operation of his Officers. These efforts aim to build trust, strengthen working relationships, and enhance intelligence sharing among agencies.
Comptroller Nwokorie vowed to change the narratives at the Command saying “We are here to change the narrative and we will leave no stone unturned as the Command strategizes on ways to improve her grey areas by dotting her i(s) and crossing her t(s) and making sure we put the round pegs in the round holes.
“Pressmen, like I started earlier with, I have come here on the mandate of the CGC to heighten our revenue generation, support and facilitate legitimate trade, strengthen and tighten the bond of relationships with Sister Agencies and ensure that smuggling is reasonably reduced if not eradicated. This is my mission and this is my bond,” he pledged.
