By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Seme Area Command of Customs Service has generated a total revenue of N743,728,652.16k) for the month of February 2025.
Disclosing this on Thursday, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Benedict Oramalugo, stated that the remarkable achievement underscores commitment of the Command to blocking revenue leakages and ensuring maximum collection for national development.
On trade facilitation, he said that this he Command facilitated a total of over Twenty-Eight Thousand metric tonnes (28,395.293) equivalent to Eight Hundred and Six (806) trucks of export produce for the month of February 2025, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N7,852,172,249.00k only, which is equivalent to Four Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Seven Dollars, Seventy-Eight Cents (4,995,527.78 USD) only. He added that Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was N 39, 260, 861.25k only.
Oramalugo hinted that the total surcharge during the month of February is Two Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira (N 2, 433, 433.00k).
He noted that the Command will leverage on the trade facilitation initiatives to foster a more efficient, transparent and predictable trade environment thereby contributing to Nigeria’s growth .
On anti-smuggling operations, the controller maintained that the command has intensified anti-smuggling operations which have led to the interception of several prohibited items.
within the period under review has seized the following items;
Four Hundred and Forty-Four (444) Parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), One Hundred and Eighty-One (181) Packs of Tramadol, Six Hundred (600) Bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), Two Hundred and Forty (240) Kegs of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).
Others are; One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Nine (1,809) Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each), Seventeen (17) Sacks of Used Shoes, Fifty-Six (56) Bales of Used Clothes and Two Hundred and Three (203) Pieces of Used Tyres. He gave the total Duty Paid Value (DV) of the seizures to be N267,054,172.00k .
According to the controller, these seizures, which contravene relevant sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 (NCS 23), reaffirm the commitment of the Command to suppressing smuggling within the Seme border corridor.
He revealed that with the approval of the Comptroller General of Customs the seized Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) has been handed over to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration.
Oramalugo attributed the achievements of the Seme Area Command within this short period of month to the unwavering support of the CGC and his NCS Management Team, the dedication and professionalism of officers, the effective deployment of intelligence-driven strategies and robust inter-agency collaboration as well as stakeholder engagement.
On strategic plans to move the Command forward, he said thst though the Command recorded significant strides, it remains resolute in its commitment to strengthening the engagement with traditional rulers and community leaders, enhancing surveillance and patrol activities to eliminate smuggling operations as well as deploying advanced intelligence strategies to disrupt illicit trade networks.
Oramalugo used the opportunity to warn smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities will not be tolerated.
Stressing that smuggling is an act of economic sabotage, he emphasized that the Seme Area Command is fully prepared to track down, arrest, and prosecute offenders. He strongly advised all individuals involved in smuggling to embrace legitimate trade and contribute to national economic growth, rather than engaging in criminal activities that undermine the country’s economy.
Oramalugo noted that proactive measures that have been implemented in fostering collaboration, enhancing operational efficiency, boosting revenue generation, and intensifying anti-smuggling efforts are already yielding tangible results.
He expressed his sincere appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, and his Management Team for their unwavering support by providing equipment in carrying out their mandate.
The controller also appreciated security and inter-agency partners for their collaboration as well as the media for their role in disseminating the Command’s activities to the general public.
On trade facilitation, he said that this he Command facilitated a total of over Twenty-Eight Thousand metric tonnes (28,395.293) equivalent to Eight Hundred and Six (806) trucks of export produce for the month of February 2025, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N7,852,172,249.00k only, which is equivalent to Four Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Seven Dollars, Seventy-Eight Cents (4,995,527.78 USD) only. He added that Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was N 39, 260, 861.25k only.
Oramalugo hinted that the total surcharge during the month of February is Two Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira (N 2, 433, 433.00k).
He noted that the Command will leverage on the trade facilitation initiatives to foster a more efficient, transparent and predictable trade environment thereby contributing to Nigeria’s growth .
On anti-smuggling operations, the controller maintained that the command has intensified anti-smuggling operations which have led to the interception of several prohibited items.
within the period under review has seized the following items;
Four Hundred and Forty-Four (444) Parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), One Hundred and Eighty-One (181) Packs of Tramadol, Six Hundred (600) Bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), Two Hundred and Forty (240) Kegs of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).
Others are; One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Nine (1,809) Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each), Seventeen (17) Sacks of Used Shoes, Fifty-Six (56) Bales of Used Clothes and Two Hundred and Three (203) Pieces of Used Tyres. He gave the total Duty Paid Value (DV) of the seizures to be N267,054,172.00k .
According to the controller, these seizures, which contravene relevant sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 (NCS 23), reaffirm the commitment of the Command to suppressing smuggling within the Seme border corridor.
He revealed that with the approval of the Comptroller General of Customs the seized Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) has been handed over to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration.
Oramalugo attributed the achievements of the Seme Area Command within this short period of month to the unwavering support of the CGC and his NCS Management Team, the dedication and professionalism of officers, the effective deployment of intelligence-driven strategies and robust inter-agency collaboration as well as stakeholder engagement.
On strategic plans to move the Command forward, he said thst though the Command recorded significant strides, it remains resolute in its commitment to strengthening the engagement with traditional rulers and community leaders, enhancing surveillance and patrol activities to eliminate smuggling operations as well as deploying advanced intelligence strategies to disrupt illicit trade networks.
Oramalugo used the opportunity to warn smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities will not be tolerated.
Stressing that smuggling is an act of economic sabotage, he emphasized that the Seme Area Command is fully prepared to track down, arrest, and prosecute offenders. He strongly advised all individuals involved in smuggling to embrace legitimate trade and contribute to national economic growth, rather than engaging in criminal activities that undermine the country’s economy.
Oramalugo noted that proactive measures that have been implemented in fostering collaboration, enhancing operational efficiency, boosting revenue generation, and intensifying anti-smuggling efforts are already yielding tangible results.
He expressed his sincere appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, and his Management Team for their unwavering support by providing equipment in carrying out their mandate.
The controller also appreciated security and inter-agency partners for their collaboration as well as the media for their role in disseminating the Command’s activities to the general public.
