The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2, Onne, Rivers State, reported on Friday that it had successfully generated a substantial sum of N246 billion within a span of ten months.
During a press briefing in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the state, Comptroller Baba Imam, who oversees the customs operations in the command, shared this remarkable achievement.
Imam proudly stated that the command achieved an outstanding revenue of N38 billion for the month of October, surpassing their monthly revenue target of N28 billion by an impressive increment of over N10 billion.
Moreover, the command also conducted several operations, leading to the interception of nine containers containing a diverse range of items. These included 724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tires, four vehicles that were involved in concealing 76.9kg of special cannabis, and 2070 cartons of tomato paste. The total duty paid value of these seized goods amounted to a substantial N1,162,424,371.00bn.
He stated that an imported container from the United States which was declared to contain household effects and one used vehicle was found to contain one pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition.
He said two suspects arrested in connection with the ammunition have been handed to the police for further investigation.
Imam stated, “Today’s briefing is the sequel to a series of events that have unfolded in the last six months.
“Above all, part of our event today is for you to witness the handover of a pistol, 100 pieces of 9mm ammunition, and two suspects in our custody in connection to the pistol and ammunition smuggling to the Nigerian police.
“On the 26th of October, 2023 in the course of examination of an imported container from the United States which was declared to contain household effects, one used vehicle was found to contain one pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition.
“The operatives of the customs intelligence unit attached to the group of examination officers were instrumental in the discovery of the pistol and 100 rounds of live ammunition concealed within the vehicle.”
He added, “In the area of revenue generation and collection, this area command has generated a total of N246,025,872,903.80 billion from January 2023 to October 2023, this represents a significant increment of N44,145,889008.65 over the amount generated for 2022”
“It is pertinent to State here that the Command realized the sum of over N38bn with an increment of over N10 billion
”Let me at this juncture, be emphatic that we do not just take delight in impounding containers or making seizures of contraband goods, rather we do this to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrents to others.”
While lauding his men for their vigilance and high commitment to duty, Imam said that the command will collaborate with sister agencies to make the country a safe place to live in.
