– Intercepts fake $1.2m notes, military wares at MMIA
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service says it generated between January to April 2024, the sum of N19,037,442,310, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, representing a 42 percent collection of the revenue target given to the command.
Customs Area Controller, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Charles Orbih, said the command also intercepted counterfeit $1,250,000 notes, cryptocurrency machines, and military accessories, which has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC and the Nigerian Army, respectively.
Orbih said the sum generated between January and April 2024 represents a 67 percent increase when compared to the preceding year 2023.
He advised smugglers to desist from their nefarious acts as officers and men of the service are always on the ground to thwart their activities.
He said, “In our effort to block revenue leakage, we also seized items such as precious stones, zinc, lithium, copper stones, 120 pieces of sim cards, and others.”
While the counterfeit notes, five cryptocurrency machines were handed over to the EFCC, 48 pieces of drones, 112 military wares, two bulletproof helmets, and three army vests were handed to the military.
Receiving the items for EFCC, Assistant Commandant Oguzi Moses, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for making the Commission’s work easier.
“This is just the starting point of our investigation. With this machine, we have a lead to discover all criminals behind this as our system would analyse all these crypto machines and produce a better result.”
On his part, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Mohammed Usman, lauded the Controller General of Customs for ensuring sister agency collaboration.
“As you can see, we are working together, and I know when we hand over these items to our drone experts, they will be able to use it.”
“Some of these drones can last up to 3 days on air, which means some mischievous ones bring them in, and we are happy the Customs are up to their task.”
