Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has warned Nigerians and other relevant parties against smuggling goods and any form of illicit trade.

Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general (C-G) of the service, gave the warning in his New Year message on Sunday.

Mr Adeniyi said NCS would strengthen its anti-smuggling strategy in 2024 to improve its performance and boost Nigeria’s revenue profile.

He said NCS was determined to improve its statutory revenue collection function through import and excise duties, among other taxes and levies, in 2024.

Mr Adeniyi said concerted efforts were required among all stakeholders and called for more cooperation with the service to achieve the feat.

”As we celebrate the new year, the Nigeria Customs Service encourages all importers, exporters and excise traders to remain compliant and say no to smuggling and any form of illicit trade,” he said.

At the budget defence for 2024, Mr Adeniyi told the legislators that the customs revenue target for 2023 was N3.684 trillion, and N2.959 trillion had been generated so far, representing 81 per cent of the year’s projected income.

He added that other measures are being implemented to increase revenue generation, including “deepening” operations and automating customs processes.

(NAN)