By Bon Peters
Goods suspected to be illicit worth N130 billion have been seized by the Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Rivers State in 10 months.
The confiscated items containing drugs and others were in 63 containers, according to the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, during a press briefing at Onne Port in Rivers State on Monday.
In the period under review, the agency said it has met 89 per cent of its 2024 revenue target of N618 billion, amounting to N550 billion.
“You will recall exactly two months and seven days ago, precisely on September 4, 2024, the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, was in Onne Port where he showcased a series of significant seizures made by the officers of the Area II Command.
“The security concern from the series of seizures of contraband goods made through this port led to the declaration of a three-month state of emergency where the command has been granted the authority to scrutinize all suspected containers, regardless of the presence of their owners,” Mr Babandede stated.
He announced that another one 20-foot container laden with donkey skin was also intercepted by his men, noting that the “seizures underscore our unwavering commitment to combatting illicit medicine and ensuring the safety of the public.”
“The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proven effective in enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring that we can act decisively against those who seek to undermine our nation’s security,” Mr Babandede insisted.
On Trade facilitation, he maintained that the command utilized the World Customs Organization trade facilitation tool, Time Release Study (TRS), to generate maximum revenue which he reiterated that utilizing the (TRS) tool within the past months of this year has been unprecedented.
He thanked all the critical stakeholders for their support for the customs. He particularly expressed gratitude to the media enlightening the public on the dangers of cutting corners.