The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2, Onne, Rivers State, has announced that it generated an impressive total of N246 billion in revenue over a period of ten months. The announcement was made by the Comptroller of Customs in the command, Comptroller Baba Imam, during a press briefing held in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area.
Comptroller Imam reported that in the month of October alone, the command successfully collected N38 billion in revenue, surpassing its monthly revenue target of N28 billion by over N10 billion. This achievement reflects the dedication and effectiveness of the customs officers in the area.
In addition to revenue collection, the command carried out significant operations, including the seizure of nine containers loaded with various items. These included 724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tires, and four vehicles used to conceal 76.9kg of special cannabis. Furthermore, 2070 cartons of tomato paste with a total duty paid value of N1,162,424,371.00 billion were confiscated.
Comptroller Imam highlighted a particularly noteworthy discovery during the operations. An imported container from the United States, which was declared to contain household effects and one used vehicle, was found to conceal one pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition. Two suspects associated with the smuggling of the ammunition were apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigation.
Comptroller Imam emphasized that these actions were taken not only to enforce the nation’s laws but also to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in illicit activities.
Regarding revenue generation, Comptroller Imam stated, “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 N44,145,889,008.65 over the amount generated for 2022.”
He added, “It is pertinent to state here that the Command realized the sum of over N38 billion with an increment of over N10 billion.”
Comptroller Imam commended his team for their vigilance and commitment to their duties, emphasizing the customs’ role in collaborating with sister agencies to maintain a safe and secure environment for all citizens in Nigeria. The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2, Onne, continues to play a vital role in revenue collection and ensuring compliance with the nation’s laws.