The Nigeria Customs Service Area 2 Command in Onne has announced significant achievements, seizing contraband worth ₦11.2 billion and generating ₦312 billion in revenue for the first half of the year.
The Nigeria Customs Service Area 2 Command Onne has announced significant achievements in both revenue generation and the interception of contraband items, according to a press briefing held by Comptroller Mohammed Babandede on Thursday.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babandede speaking during a press briefing on Thursday highlighted the Command’s recent successes in intercepting illicit goods, which he described as a “significant breakthrough” against individuals attempting to undermine Nigeria’s importation processes and public safety.
“In collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Onne Port Chapter, our Command acted on credible intelligence regarding several 40-foot containers. This joint effort led to the seizure of seven containers,” Babandede revealed.
The seized items include 1,054,400 bottles of various codeine cough syrups (100ml), 9,100 pieces of chili cutters, 2,175,000 Hyergra tablets (200mg), and 1,300,000 Really Extra Diclofenac Pain Relief tablets (50mg). The estimated value of these seizures is a staggering ₦11.2 billion. These items, particularly the codeine cough syrups and tablets, will be formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
In addition to these enforcement activities, the Area 2 Command has also made impressive strides in revenue collection. For the first half of the year, the Command generated ₦312,094,367,124.58, achieving 50.5% of its annual target. This includes ₦48,056,806,692 generated in July alone, with five working days still remaining in the month.
Comptroller Babandede reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and public health. He noted that despite the challenging security situation, the Command remains resolute in its duties. “We will not tolerate any actions that compromise the security and economy of our beloved nation. Our determination to increase our revenue profile and protect public health and safety is steadfast,” Babandede stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service Area 2 Command Onne, under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, continues to prioritize collaboration and consolidation in its operations. These efforts are aimed at enhancing border security and ensuring that unpatriotic elements do not succeed in their illegal activities.
As the Command pushes towards meeting and exceeding its annual revenue targets, it also remains vigilant in intercepting contraband that threatens national security and public health.
