Customs exceeds 2021 target, generates over 2.3 trillion revenue 

The Nigeria Customs Service said it has exceeded its 2021 revenue target of N1.679 trillion by generating well over N2.3 trillion, despite that the year is yet to end.

The figure exceeds the target by N621 billion.

In a chat with newsmen on Monday, Deputy National Public Relations of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, said that NCS was given onerous task of generating N1.679 in 2021 due to target achieved in 2020.

“In the current year,the NCS has already exceeded expectations in revenue generation by going beyond the target set for it by the government.”

He added that the Service made landmark seizures of absolutely prohibited items and items prohibited by trade

According to Bomodi, in August, the service made seizures of 17,137kg of pangolin scales, 44kg elephant tusks and 60kg in pangolin claws all valued at over 22 billion naira.

This according to him, was made possible through active collaboration between NCS, US, British and German officials who helped in tracking the suspicious shipment.

In October, he said Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Service seized 751 bullets concealed in garri sacks while arms, ammunitions and military uniforms were intercepted at Tincan port, Lagos in September 2021 just to mention a few.

He discosed that the Customs warehouses in all border formations were overflowing with seizures of rice, groundnut oil, used clothing, used vehicles, among other items.

“At Apapa Area 1 command through the cooperation of other sister agencies and the Nigerian Navy, a landmark seizures of cocaine with DPV of 54 million dollars was made.

“This seizure was unique for the fact that the illicit substance was found in one of the compartments of a bulk carrier of sugar.

“In the same command, 97 containers carrying illicit, expired drugs and other goods with DPV of 17.5 billion naira was seized,” he said.

The numerous arrests, Bomodi said, were signs that the NCS operates in a highly noncompliant environment.