NCS realises N143.2bn in 10 months

The Murtala Mohammed Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service realised N143.2 billion in revenue for the federal government between January and October 2024.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the command’s ten-month revenue profile.

Awe explained that, in addition to the revenue, the command also intercepted 250 turtles, 23 walkie-talkies, 175 military helmets, and 50 drones, allegedly being smuggled into the country by criminal elements.

According to him, the amount surpassed the revenue collected by the command in 2023 by N69.92 billion, noting that the revenue for the same period in 2023 stood at N74.4 billion.

Awe attributed the achievement to enhanced trade facilitation, improved stakeholder compliance, and effective law enforcement. He stated that to boost revenue collection, facilitate legitimate trade, and curb smuggling, the command implemented initiatives such as streamlined clearance procedures, enhanced cargo inspection and examination, and improved intelligence gathering.

He stressed that efforts to combat illicit trade yielded impressive results, with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seized items amounting to N3.322 billion between July and October 2024.

Awe further explained, “The seized items contravened some of the provisions of the extant laws as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCS Act) 2023.”

The Controller revealed that the military hardware was allegedly imported from Turkey by a criminal gang, pointing out that one suspect has been arrested in the country of origin at the instance of the Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi.

According to him, the suspect has since been charged to court, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.

He added that the hardware was imported without any end-user certificate and listed the seized items as 23 walkie-talkies, 175 military helmets, 50 drones, 250 live turtles, and illicit drugs.

NCS realises N143.2bn in 10 months