Seme Customs command generates N2.63bn in 5 months

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command says it generated N2.63 billion between January and May.Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the Area Controller disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Seme, Lagos. State.According to him, in the period under review, a total sum of N2,634,190,645 was collected.The controller said that the amount surpassed that of 2023 for same period by 272 per cent.He said that the command facilitated 143, 468 Metric Tonnes of export produce, with FOB value of ?35, 199, 971. 097, which is equivalent to $38, 461, 397.39.Bomodi said that the enforcement unit sustained anti-smuggling momentum in all nooks and crannies of the command.'This onslaught translated into 474 interceptions of various contraband items within the period under review.'These items include 12,448 Jerry cans and 30 litres of petrol, which is equivalent to eight tanker loads.'Others are 6,467 bags of 50kg of foreign rice, which is equivalent to 10 trailer loads, 15 fairly used vehicles and 1,251 parcels of cannabis sativa.'They also include 20 live parrots, two honey badgers, 2 pelican birds and 404 live tortoises, 3,023 general merchandise, 149 packages of codeine and 45 pieces of unused tyres,' he said.Some seized 50kg bag of foreign rice seized by Seme customs on displayed on Tuesday.He said that all the seized items had a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ?840, 003, 646.'We note that there has been a marked increase in the illegal importation of Cannabis from Ghana and different methods have been used by criminals in their effort to beat our officers, all of which were neutralised,' he said.Bomodi said that a total of 18 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.He added that 11 of them were granted administrative bails and three were handed over to NDLEA for further action.'One was handed over to the Nigeria Police, while four suspects are still in Customs' custody.'He said that the command had set-up a complaint desk to address issues concerning the molestatio n of females in the command.'We strongly frown at any act endangering the health and well-being of the vulnerable population of border stake-holders, who go about their normal and legitimate businesses daily.'Stringent action shall be taken against any officer of any agency found guilty of molestation of any female on this corridor,' he said.30 Jerry can of seized petrol on displayed in Seme command on Tuesday.Bomodi appreciated the cooperation of other government agencies in ensuring the peace, safety and security of the nation's borders.'Special mention will be made of the effort of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Air Force and Navy, who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us in this battle.'Their unwavering support is crucial and we applaud their patriotic efforts,' he said.Source: News Agency of Nigeria