By Sandra Chukwunyere
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 2 Command, Onne,Port Harcourt, River State has made a remarkable landmark in anti-smuggling operations, revenue generation, and export facilitation.
In a statement made available to Newspoint247 and signed by the Command’s Customs Area Command (CAC)Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, on Tuesday,December 31, he outlined the Command’s remarkable accomplishments.
Comptroller Babandede announced the interception of 12 containers (40 feet) of illicit medicines and other contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N20,309,890,800. This significant seizure included:
1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine
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510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac
7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal Apple Tramadol and Tramaking
Concealments within 3,461 pieces of sanitary ware fittings, 840 chilly cutters, and 153 cartons of TVS rubber
“These seizures underscore the dedication and vigilance of our officers in safeguarding the nation against illicit trade and ensuring public health and safety,” Comptroller Babandede remarked.
The Command surpassed its annual revenue target of N618 billion by generating N634 billion, representing 103% of the target and a 98% increase over the 2023 revenue.
This achievement, attributed to stakeholder engagement, synergy, and intelligence sharing, highlights the Command’s efficiency in trade facilitation and compliance enforcement.
In the export sector, Area 2 Command facilitated the shipment of 2,707,339.22 metric tonnes of agro and mineral resources, including sesame seeds, aluminium ingots, and wheat bran.
The exports, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of $952,986,490.99 (N1,261,039,933,168.99), reinforced the Command’s role in boosting Nigeria’s non-oil export economy.
The Area 2 Command was celebrated as the best Command in anti-smuggling operations by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Eight officers received special promotions for their role in the September interception of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.
Additionally, 109 officers of the Command were promoted across various ranks in the 2024 exercise.
CAC highlighted the seizure of 76 containers of uncustomed goods, including arms, ammunition, vegetable oil, and donkey skins, with a cumulative DPV of N150,872,551,207.
