Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, says it generated N92.3 million as revenue between April and June.
The command’s Comptroller of Customs, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Abeokuta.
Ojo said that the revenue represented about 52.46 per cent increase, compared with the N53,983,622 recorded within the same period in 2023.
He said that the command also surpassed the monthly revenue target of N34,122,666.90 in June by 77.86 per cent.
“Our enforcement activities had led to significant interception of prohibited goods like 219 sacks and 1,725 parcels of cannabis sativa, 940 rounds of lives ammunition and 44,466 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“Other items are: 2,227 pieces of pneumatic foreign-used tyres, 64 bakes and 222 sacks of used clothes, 2,947 cartons of frozen poultry products and 7,015 bags of foreign parboiled rice.
“Also, 21 units of vehicles, three units of motorcycles and 115 pairs of used shoes with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N770,666,237,00 were also intercepted,” Ojo said.
He said that the seizures were made possible through the command’s relentless fight against smuggling as well as the determination to protect the local economy, ensure public health and safety, and uphold the integrity of the borders.
“The achievement is a testament to the diligence, commitment and professionalism of our officers and men who worked tirelessly to ensure that we meet and exceed our revenue targets.
“It is also indicative of our unwavering commitment to the economic growth and development of our nation,” he said.
The comptroller further stated that the interception of the prohibited items was a clear indication of the effectiveness of the command’s intelligence-driven approach and the robust strategies it had put in place.
According to him, the success aligns with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs (C-G), Bashir Adeniyi, who has championed the principles of consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He applauded Adeniyi’s visionary leadership and enabling support which had been crucial in enhancing our capabilities and driving the ‘impressive’ results.
The controller noted that smuggled cannabis sativa and foreign-used pneumatic tyres had adverse effects on the citizenry.
He commended the traditional rulers and other security agencies in the state for their support toward combating smuggling and enhancing economic growth and national security.
(NAN)