Onne Customs Command generates 38 Billion Naira in one month

…Intercepts container loaded with arms

By Abiodun OBA

The Nigeria Customs Service, Area ll Command, Onne, Port Rivers State, generated the sum of over 38 billion Naira in October alone, surpassing its monthly revenue target of 28 billion Naira.

The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Baba Imam, disclosed to newsmen on Friday.

He said “In the area of revenue generation and collection, this Area Command has generated a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 from January 2023 to October 2023, this represents a significant increment of ₦44,145,889,008.65 over the amount generated for 2022.

“It is pertinent to state here that the Command realized the sum of over 38 billion Naira for the month of October alone, exceeding its monthly revenue target of 28 billion Naira with an increment of over 10 billion Naira” he said.

Aside the feat, Operatives of the Command also discovered a pistol and one hundred live 9mm ammunition in an imported container from the United States of America during examination and arrested two suspects in connection with the seizure.

Imam said “On the 26th of October 2023, in the course of examination of an imported container from United State which was declared to contain household effects and One used vehicle, was found to contain One pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition.

“The operatives of the Customs Intelligence Unit attached to the group of examination officers was instrumental to the discovery of the Pistol and 100 rounds of live ammunition concealed within the vehicle.

“Consequently, two suspects have been arrested in connection with this importation.”

According to the Comptroller 9 containers worth over N1.1b in duty paid value were seized for contravening import prohibition guidelines as part of the command’s efforts to discourage smuggling.

Giving a breakdown of the seizures, the CAC listed 724 bales of used clothing; 1,805 units of used tyres; 4 Vehicles used in concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis (marijuana); 2,070 cartons of Tomato paste; 1,578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with codeine (100ml) and many other items.