Seme Customs Command Hits Hard, Intercepts N3.2bn Contraband, Collects N1.5bn in September
By Francis Ugwoke
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has hit smugglers hard with the interception of contraband worth N3.2bn in one month.
This was disclosed by the Area Controller, Comptroller Adewale Adenuga, at a briefing with journalists in Seme, Badagry, Lagos, on Wednesday.
Among the items seized were expired flour, rice, cannabis, and tramadol.
Details of the seizures were five trucks conveying 10,000 bags of expired flour said to have been imported from Egypt which Duty Paid Value (DPV) was put at ₦1.21 billion.
The trucks were intercepted during a joint operation with operatives of the the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Equally seized were 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) and 120 packs of Tramadol 120mg.
Two suspects were arrested and handed over to the NDLEA Seme Command for further investigation.
Similarly, the Command seized 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 150 bales of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine, and five used vehicles.
The Command put total Duty Paid Value for the seizures at ₦1,999,093,429.00.
According to the Controller, the Command is determined to ensure that economic sabotage by smugglers is checked.
He disclosed that the Command generated the sum of ₦1,500,029,233.88 in September, which according to him represents an exceptional 182% increase compared to ₦531,462,332.45 in the month of August.
He said, “Our position is clear: any economic resource diverted into smuggling will be a colossal waste. It is better to channel such resources into legitimate business that could empower thousands of SMEs and create jobs.
“This outstanding performance reflects the effectiveness of the CGC’s reform agenda built on compliance, transparency, and data-driven monitoring of goods, as well as the dedication of officers and men who continue to embody his vision of a modern, efficient and accountable Customs Service”.
He also said that the Command facilitated export trade of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of goods which value was put at ₦7,969,376,198.78 Free on Board (FOB).
The exports include agricultural produce and manufactured goods which led to the generation of a total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee of ₦39,868,354.42.
Adenuga added, “Under the visionary leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Seme Area Command remains resolute in balancing these priorities. We shall continue to enhance our operational efficiency through technology, stakeholder collaboration and proactive intelligence.”
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has hit smugglers hard with the interception of contraband worth N3.2bn in one month.
This was disclosed by the Area Controller, Comptroller Adewale Adenuga, at a briefing with journalists in Seme, Badagry, Lagos, on Wednesday.
Among the items seized were expired flour, rice, cannabis, and tramadol.
Details of the seizures were five trucks conveying 10,000 bags of expired flour said to have been imported from Egypt which Duty Paid Value (DPV) was put at ₦1.21 billion.
The trucks were intercepted during a joint operation with operatives of the the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Equally seized were 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) and 120 packs of Tramadol 120mg.
Two suspects were arrested and handed over to the NDLEA Seme Command for further investigation.
Similarly, the Command seized 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 150 bales of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine, and five used vehicles.
The Command put total Duty Paid Value for the seizures at ₦1,999,093,429.00.
According to the Controller, the Command is determined to ensure that economic sabotage by smugglers is checked.
He disclosed that the Command generated the sum of ₦1,500,029,233.88 in September, which according to him represents an exceptional 182% increase compared to ₦531,462,332.45 in the month of August.
He said, “Our position is clear: any economic resource diverted into smuggling will be a colossal waste. It is better to channel such resources into legitimate business that could empower thousands of SMEs and create jobs.
“This outstanding performance reflects the effectiveness of the CGC’s reform agenda built on compliance, transparency, and data-driven monitoring of goods, as well as the dedication of officers and men who continue to embody his vision of a modern, efficient and accountable Customs Service”.
He also said that the Command facilitated export trade of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of goods which value was put at ₦7,969,376,198.78 Free on Board (FOB).
The exports include agricultural produce and manufactured goods which led to the generation of a total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee of ₦39,868,354.42.
Adenuga added, “Under the visionary leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Seme Area Command remains resolute in balancing these priorities. We shall continue to enhance our operational efficiency through technology, stakeholder collaboration and proactive intelligence.”
About Post Author
