Onne Customs Generates N246.03bn from January to October 2023

 ...Arrests two in Connection with Pistol and Ammunition, Seizes goods worth N1.2bn DPV

ZAINAB JUNAID

Port Harcourt 2 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service Onne, has generated a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 from January to October 2023, an increase of ₦44,145,889,008.65 from the amount generated in 2022 within the same period under review.

Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Command on Friday, November 3, 2023, to showcase seizures made and also handover two suspects arrested in connection with pistol and ammunition, Customs Area Controller of the Command to Nigerian Police Force, Comptroller Baba Imam disclosed that the Command realized over 38 Billion Naira for the month of October alone, surpassing its monthly revenue target of 28 Billion Naira with an increment of over 10 Billion Naira.

On seizures made, Comptroller Baba revealed that in the course of examining an imported container from United State which was declared to contain household effects and One used vehicle, was found to contain One pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition on the 26th of October 2023.

According to him,“two suspects have been arrested in connection with this importation. The pistol, ammunition as well as the two suspects shall all be handed over to the Nigerian police force shortly after this press briefing, as criminal cases relating to our collaborative functions with other Government agencies are handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”

Comptroller Baba added that as part of the commitment to reducing the incidences of smuggling to the bearest minimum within its terrain, the Command has also seized  9 containers which worth a total duty paid value of ₦1,162,424,371.00 for violations of extant import prohibition laws.

The goods concealed in the containers  include -  724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tyres,   4 Vehicles used in concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis (marijuana), 2070 cartons of Tomatoe paste, and 1578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with codeine (100ml) among others.

Correcting the notion that Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) is always delighted in impounding containers or making seizures, the Command Boss noted that the seizures are done to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrent to others.

His words, "The Command and indeed the Customs of today has zero tolerance to smuggling and has no cause not to perform, as every encouragement, logistics and other incentives have been given by our amiable Comptroller General of Customs, BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI, MFR, and that has boosted the morale of all officers to be more determined than ever to fight smuggling."