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… Compt Babandede Lauds Officers, Sister Agencies on Integrity, Commitment
By Kelechi Nwaucha
The Area II Command, Onne of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it has collected a total sum of one hundred and ninety billion, five hundred and sixty-nine million, two hundred and twelve thousand, three hundred and ninety-seven Naira, fourty-two kobo (N190, 569,212,397.42) as revenue within the first three months of 2025.
This was contained in an analysis of the first quarter of the year, made available by the Controller, Area II Command Onne, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, to newsmen at the command on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Comptroller Babandede said the sum represents a 17.12 percent increase from the corresponding period of the previous year, 2024, during which a total of one hundred and sixty-two billion, seven hundred and five million, three hundred and thirteen thousand, five hundred sixty-one naira, fourty-eight kobo (N162, 705,313,561.48) was collected.
“This shows a remarkable improvement with a difference of twenty seven billion, eight hundred and sixty-four million, six hundred and sixty-eight thousand, four hundred and fourty-two naira, sixty-one kobo (N27, 864,668,442.61); this represents a 17.12% increase against the first quarter of 2024,” he said.
Babandede attributed the feat to the courage, bravery, high level of integrity and self-determination of the officers of the command in line with their oath of allegiance.
He said that the Customs Service is a significant source of revenue for the government, through the collection of import duties and levies, adding that the Service also ensures compliance with Customs laws and government policies on international trade.
Speaking on the command’s efforts against smuggling, Comptroller Babandede said “A total of 20 containers were seized from January to March 2025.
The seized 20 containers contained:
– 1×40Ft container TLLU6901759STC 158,400 bottles of Codeine syrup,(100mls each) and 11,690 pieces of chilly cutter,
– 1×40Ft container MRKU 2117319 STC 158,400 bottles of Barcadin with codein syrup(100 each) and 240 pieces of local sanitary wares.
Other seized items include 94 cartons of sanitary wares, 21 cartons of TBS rubber,tins of soupy tomato paste,280 bales of used clothes and 980,000 tablets of Tamol-X,among others.
“These seizures are products of courage, bravery, high level of integrity, and the self-determined posture of the officers to be patriotic to their oath of allegiance; exhibited through objective and careful examination, meticulous documentary checks and professionalism.
“The cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of the seized goods presented is worth ten billion, two hundred and ninety-three million, six hundred and seventy-seven thousand, fourty Naira (N10, 293,677,040.00).
“It is important to know that importing illicit drugs and other prohibited wares into the country can have serious consequences for both the public and society. Worthy of note is the fact that perpetrating any act of illegal activity is criminal and remains punishable under the Nigeria Customs extant laws, with the legal consequence of being punishable with either a fine or imprisonment, or both, as the case may be.
“The impact of the influx of illicit drugs can lead to increased rates of crime, substance abuse, addiction, and health-related issues in the communities. Hence, there is a need to nip it in the bud,” the CAC said.
On export, Babandede noted that 1,274,695mts of products, mostly agricultural products and solid minerals, were exported, while placing the total value of such goods at two billion, three hundred and fourty-five million, two hundred and sixty-eight thousand, one hundred and twenty-two Naira (N2,345,268,122).
He expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management team for providing an enabling environment for men and officers of the command to succeed.
Part of the report was the handing over of 1×20ft donkey skin container seized by Customs to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service for destruction.
