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By Emma Sunday
The Area 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Onne Port in Rivers State said it has generated over N550.4 billion as revenue between January and November 2024.
The Customs Area Controller, Area 2 Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede disclosed this while briefing Journalists on recent achievements by the command which includes interception of 22 containers loaded with illicit drugs and donkey skin with duty paid value of over N46.7 billion.
Babandede said the over N550.4 billion revenue generated within the 11 months period translates to 89 percent of the annual target of N618 billion given to the Command.
According to him, “Within the past months of this year, in the area of revenue, the Command as at this morning (Monday) has generated a total revenue of five hundred and fifty billion, four hundred and thirty-one million, five hundred and fifty-nine thousand, five hundred and ninety-eight naira, forty-one kobo (N550,431,559,598.41), translating to 89 percent of the annual target of 618 billion given to the Command.”
Comptroller Babandede told newsmen that the interception of 22 containers loaded with illicit drugs such as Codeine cough syrup, tramadol, diclofenac and donkey skin was achieved through collaboration with sister security agencies such as the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NAFDAC, Department of State Security and others at the port.
He noted that the seizures were inline with the charge by the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who declared a state of emergency in the command following his visit to the Port Harcourt two months ago when the Command intercepted 844 rifles, 112,500 ammunition, millions of illicit and banned drugs and military camouflage.
Babandede said the illicit drugs and other items seized on Monday where concealed in sanitary wares, waste connector and chilly cutters, adding that they pose a great risks to public health.
He said: “Inline with the Controller General of Custom’s policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration, the command working with sister agencies such as NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine and NAFDAC amongst other in implementing the State if Emergency, has made yet another significant seizure of twenty 40ft and one 20ft containers laden with illicit drugs, which poses a severe threat to public health and safety and a one 20ft container laden with donkey skin.”
He gave a breakdown of the seizure to in include; 2,624053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine, 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 3,500,00 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol/Tamolx, 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml fake gonorrhoea antibiotics without NAFDAC number , 15,600,000 tablets of fake 4mg chlorphenamine, 33,840,00 tablets of 2mg fake Lemotil Loperamine.
He listed others to includes; 19,430 pieces of chilly cutter used for concealment, 29,238 pieces of sanitary fittings tap/ toilet seat used for concealment, 26,400 tubes of 30mg fake permethrin cream, 480,000 tablets of fake strapsiril, 112,500 tablets of fake multi mineral supplements, 28 drums of diphenhydramine hydrochloride IP of 25kg each, 3,388 pieces of waste connector used for concealment and 2,100 pieces donkey skin.
Babandede further revealed that the duty paid value of each of the 21 containers of the illicit drugs totals N46,399,119,810, while the duty paid value on container of donkey skin is N441,000,000.
The Area 2 Custom controller restated the commitment of the command under his leadership to public safety.
He said, “these seizures underscores our unwavering commitment to combating illicit medicine and ensuring the safety of public,” adding, “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.”
He noted that on anti-smuggling, the command this year has seized a total of 63 containers.
He commended all sister agencies operating at the port for their support.
The intercepted drugs and items were handed over to officials of NAFDAC and NDLEA while the donkey skin was handed over Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).
