By Uzor Odigbo
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Border Command said it has collected the sum of N1,904,459,390.77 revenue between January 23 and September 8, 2023, which represents 97.2% of N1,960,000,000 allotted target for the year.
This shows an increase of 51.98% from the N885,543,098.11 made in the corresponding period for 2022.
This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi while briefing journalists in Lagos on Friday as he showcased several high-profile seizures including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in excess of one tanker-load intercepted.
“The revenue target for the Command for the year 2023 is One Billion Nine Hundred and Sixty Million Naira Only. As at 8th of September, 2023 the Command has collected One Billion Nine Hundred and Four Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Naira, Seventy Seven Kobo (N1,904,459, 390.77) only. This represents 97.2% of N1,960,000,000 allotted target for the year 2023.
“In the corresponding period under review for year 2022, the revenue was Eight Hundred and Eighty Five Million, Five Hundred and Forty Three Thousand, Ninety Eight Naira Eleven Kobo (N885,543,098.11) The implication is that the Commands revenue profile witnessed a tremendous increase of N1, 018,916, 292. 33 (51.98%).
“In the area of anti-smuggling operation, you are already conversant with our past headline seizures (fake six million US dollars equivalent to two billion seven hundred million (N2.7 B) Naira). This is in addition to other notable seizures recorded between January and August 2023 and listed below:
Six Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty Nine (9500) 50kg bags of rice equivalent to sixteen (16) trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value of N312, 242, 064.93k. 13, 835 x 30 liters Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit equivalent to 415, 050 liters or 13 petroleum tankers with Duty Paid Value of 738,276, 461k. 15,389 of General Merchandise Goods.
Hard Drugs and Narcotics:
41 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 4,900 Tablets 225mg of Tramadol Tamol-X 3,600 Tablets 225mg Tramadol Royal 225,157 Tablets of Heineken Ecstacy, 864 Packs of Cigarette
“In the same vein, officers and Men of the Command acting on credible intelligence intercepted One Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Four (1,364) 30 Liters Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit equivalent to forty thousand eight hundred (40,800) litres over one Tanker Load and with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of (N24, 663, 355) only at the early hours of Friday 8th September, 2023 along the Badagry Coast
“The duty paid value for items seized for the period January to 8th Septmeber 2023 is One Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty Seven Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Nineteen Niara (1, 827, 362, 619. 00)
I“In addition to the above, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dictate of encouraging its personnels, the Officers and Men of the Command that were involved in the seizures of fake Six million USD ($6,000,000) currency, Fifteen (15) fake international passports and Ten (10) Driver’s license, and that of Donkey skins in January, 2023 have been commended by the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale AdeniyI
Comptroller Dera Nnadi appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs for his support to the Command and also appreciate the Seme Badagry Community for their cooperation and to officers and men of the Command for their gallantry and patriotism.
Our greatest appreciation goes to the media for highlighting our modest effort in Seme Area Command.
