The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme area command, on Wednesday announced that it generated N847, 580, 079 in revenue in April.

The controller of the command, Benedict Oramalugo, disclosed this during a press briefing on its activities of the command, held at Seme Krape Border Post in Lagos.

”I am pleased to announce that the Command, through commitment and professionalism, generated total revenue of N847,580,079 in April alone.

“This achievement reflects our sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages are blocked, and every legitimate kobo due to the Federal Government is collected without compromise.

“Also, in line with the FG’s agenda on economic diversification through non-oil exports, the Command facilitated the movement of 2,029 trucks, equivalent to over 88,026 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods.

“These exports had a Free On Board (FOB) value of ₦16,900,987, 331.10 only while the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at ₦84,504,936.66 only.

“This underscores our role as a critical trade enabler and contributor to national economic growth through efficient border management and support to local manufacturers,” he said.

Mr Oramalugo said that in the area of anti-smuggling, the command’s operatives on March 28, at about 8.00.p.m, on stop and search duty, intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying contraband along Owode Road.

“Upon interception, the rider abandoned a Ghana-Must-Go bag and escaped.

“Upon examination, the bag was found to contain various foreign coins, namely: 49 pieces of Two-Dollar coins, 1,048 pieces of One-Pound coins, 130 pieces of 25 Canadian cents and 236 pieces of Fifty Pence.”

According to the controller, on April 1, the operatives intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway.

Mr Oramalugo said, “After a thorough check, the vehicle was found to contain: 940 pieces of One-Pound coins, 80 pieces of Two-Pound coins, 338 pieces of Fifty Penny, 540 pieces of Twenty Penny and 785 pieces of Five Penny.

“The total value of these seized foreign coins is ₦8,975,281.00 only.

“These items are classified under Item 18 of Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET), which prohibits the importation of “Silver or Metal Alloy Coins not being legal tender in Nigeria.”

The controller said that on Friday, the command’s operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGB 667 JL along the Badagry-Lagos expressway.

Mr Oramalugo added, “The vehicle was found to be conveying six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur’an.

“One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.

“Other notable seizures during the period include: 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 750 kegs of PMS (30kg each), 30 cartons of Tobacco and 50 cartons of Ketchup Tomato.

“We also seized, One boat and engine, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, five vehicles and unregistered pharmaceuticals, including 420 bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml).

“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures during the period under review is ₦669,785,236.00 only,” he said.

He said in line with the command’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, they would hand over the seized cannabis sativa, the Corrosive Mercury and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for possible prosecution.

“This also highlights our readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding national security.

“I wish to commend the gallant officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity.

“I also thank our stakeholders and partners, including the media, for your continued support and collaboration,” he said. 

(NAN)