– Seizes 12 containers of illicit drugs
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Area II Command, Onne, has concluded 2024 with a record-breaking revenue of N638 billion, surpassing its annual target of N618 billion by 3 percent.
Speaking during the Command’s end-of-year briefing on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, said the revenue represents a 98% increase compared to the N321 billion generated in 2023.
Babandede described the achievement as a result of dedication and strategic stakeholder engagement, while announcing the seizure of 12 containers of illicit drugs and other prohibited items with a duty-paid value of N20,309,890,800.
He said, “Earlier in the year, the Command was given a revenue target of N618 billion. I am glad to inform you that as of this morning, the Command, with the aid of stakeholder engagement, synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, has surpassed the target by generating a total revenue of N634 billion. This amount is over the 2023 collection by 321 billion Naira and represents a 98% increase over the 2023 generated revenue.
“In a significant anti-smuggling breakthrough, the Command intercepted 12 containers filled with prohibited items, including 1,721,100 bottles of codeine cough syrup, 510,000 tablets of Diclofenac, and 7.1 million tablets of Tramadol. The seizure also included concealed items such as 3,461 pieces of sanitary fittings and 840 chilly cutters, with a duty-paid value of N20.3 billion.
“This latest seizure underscores the passion and diligence of the officers and men of the Onne Command in ensuring that illicit drugs and other harmful goods do not find their way into our country through our area of responsibility,” Babandede said. “Our efforts are geared toward securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of entry points into the country through the Onne port axis.”
Highlighting the Command’s anti-smuggling achievements, Babandede disclosed that 76 containers were seized during the year, including arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, vegetable oil, donkey skin, used clothing, and other uncustomed goods.
“In the area of anti-smuggling, the Command made a total of 76 container seizures comprising arms, ammunition, illicit medicine, vegetable oil, footwear, donkey skin, used clothes, among other uncustomed goods used as concealment, with a duty-paid value of N150,872,551,207,” Babandede revealed.
He said the Command’s anti-smuggling performance earned it the Comptroller-General of Customs’ award for the Best Command in Anti-Smuggling Operations. Babandede also announced the special promotion of eight officers for their roles in intercepting 844 rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition earlier in the year.
“The Command also processed 2.7 million metric tonnes of agro and mineral exports, including sesame seeds, aluminum ingots, and granular urea, with a Free on Board value of $952.98 million (N1.26 trillion).
“Our export performance shows that Onne Port is a critical driver of non-oil export growth,” Babandede said.
Additionally, 90 officers in the Area II Command received promotions in 2024, including 14 Deputy Comptrollers elevated to Comptrollers and others promoted across various ranks. Babandede described the promotions as a significant morale booster.
“These promotions are a well-deserved reward for the hard work and dedication of our officers. It boosts morale and motivates us to achieve even more, and I assure you that we will not relent in performing our duties to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerians.”
As the Command wraps up 2024, Babandede expressed optimism for the coming year.
“These are just a few of the results achieved with the purposeful engagement of our stakeholders and partners this year. We look forward to a more result-oriented 2025,” he said.
