The Nigeria Customs Service, SEME Area Command has announced to the public, the figures of revenue generated from the period of January to May 2024.
The command has collected a total sum of Two Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty Four Million, One Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Five Naira Fifty Three Kobo (N 2, 634, 190, 645.53) only. This amount surpasses that of 2023 for the same period by 272%.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Timinadi Bomodi availed the information to the media on the 28th of May 2024 at the command’s conference room in SEME Border .
The CAC in the spirit of open governance and also adhering to the directive given by the Comptroller-General of Customs , Bashir Adewale Adeniyi that all Commands should give periodic reports of their activities to members of the public, thus presented the successes recorded so far, at Seme Krake Joint Border Post of the Service
The Comptroller noted in the area of Export ,that the Command has facilitated One Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-Eight (143, 468) Metric Tonnes of export produce, with FOB value of Thirty-Five Billion, One Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-One thousand, Ninety-seven Naira Seven Kobo (₦35, 199, 971. 097.7) only which is equivalent to ($38, 461, 397.39). The NESS value paid is One Hundred and Seventy-Four Million, Five Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-Four Naira Eighty-Two Kobo (₦174, 518, 464.82) only. A total of Four Hundred and Six SGDs were utilized from January to May 26 2024 on export alone.
ANTI-SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES
Bomodi emphasized on anti Smuggling activities that the Enforcement unit of the command has sustained it’s anti smuggling momentum in all nooks and crannies of the Command.
He said that the onslaught translated into Four Hundred and Seventy-Four (474) interception of various contraband items within the period under review.
The items includes:
1. PMS: 12,448 Jerrycans x 30 liters each which is equivalent to eight (8) Tanker Loads.
2. Rice: 6,467 Bags of 50kg, which is equivalent to 10 Trailer Loads.
3. Vehicles: 15 used vehicles.
4. Cannabis: 1, 251parcels of cannabis sativa. We note that there has been a marked increase in the illegal importation of Cannabis from Ghana and different methods have been used by criminals in their effort to beat our officers all of which has been neutralized.
5. Wild Animal: 20 Live Parrots
2 Honey badgers
2 Pelican Birds
404 Live tortoises.
6. General Merchandise: 3, 023 items.
7. Codeine: 149 Packages.
8. Used Tyers: 45 Pieces.
All with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Eight Hundred and Forty Million, Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Six Naira (₦840, 003, 646.00) only.
According to him , a total of Eighteen (18) suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures, Eleven (11) of them were granted administrative bails, three were handed over to NDLEA for further agency action, One was handed over to the Nigerian Police, while 4 suspects are still in our custody.
He also said that the Command recently arrested a notorious smuggler whose reign of terror in this area has come to an end and will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He revealed that the Command has also set-up a complaint desk to address issues concerning the molestation of females on this corridor.
“We strongly frown at any act endangering the health and well-being of the vulnerable population of border stake-holders who go about their normal and legitimate businesses daily.
Stringent action shall be taken against any officer of the any agency found guilty of molestation of any females on this corridor”.
He concluded by giving words of appreciation to the profound cooperation of other government agencies in ensuring the peace, safety and security of the borders.
He Specially mentioned the efforts of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Air Force and Navy who he said have stood shoulder to shoulder with the service in the battle.
He appreciated their unwavering support and described it as crucial and patriotic that worths applauds.
