In an end-of-the-year onslaught, the Onne Customs Area 2 Command recorded another remarkable achievement in its ongoing battles against smuggling as it successfully intercepted and impounded another 12 containers of 40-foot category loaded with illicit medicine.
The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the 12 containers was ₦20,309,890,800.
The Customs Area Controller, Mohammed Babandede who confirmed this on Tuesday 31 December 2024, specifically said it was a testament to the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health, ensuring the security of the country and sincere compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations.
“This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health, ensuring the security of our nation and compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations”, Comptroller Babandede said, adding that the seizure also testified to a commitment to trade facilitation, transparency, effective and efficient service delivery.
He gave the breakdown as follows:
a. 1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine
b. 510,000 tablets of 50mg Extra Diclofenac
c. 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal apple Tramadol and Tramaking
d. 3,461 pieces of Sanitary ware Fittings used for concealment
e. 840 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment
f. 153 cartons of TVS rubber
Speaking further, he maintained that the latest seizure underscored the passion and diligence of the officers and men of the Onne Command in ensuring that illicit drug and other harmful goods do not find their way into our country through our area of responsibility.
“Our efforts are geared toward securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of entry points into the country through the Onne, port axis”, Babandede said, appreciating further, the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media, in amplifying our message and efforts to combat smuggling, saying ‘Together, we can build a safer and healthier nation’.
“It is worth noting that the morale and dedication of our officers have been significantly bolstered by the Comptroller-General of Customs’ award, recognizing Area 2 Command as the best Command in anti-smuggling operations. This honour has further strengthened our resolve, and I assure you that we will not relent in performing our duties to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerians.
“In the recently released 2024 promotion for General Duty/Support Staff for officers and men of the Service, the Area 2 Command got some officers promoted as well. A total of 14 Deputy Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Comptroller.
“A total of 6 Assistant Comptrollers were elevated to Deputy Comptrollers and 17 Chief Superintendent of Customs were elevated to Assistant Comptrollers.
“Other newly promoted officers include 22 to Chief Superintendent of Customs, 4 to Superintendent of Customs, 18 to Deputy Superintendent of Customs, 14 to Assistant Superintendent of One and 16 to Assistant Superintendent of Two. Junior Officers were also promoted as 9 got Inspector of Customs, 3 got Customs Assistant One and 3 got Customs Assistant Two
“Let me use this opportunity to specially appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr, who in September this year promised to reward Officers and men of the Command for the role they played in the Interception of 844 units of riffles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition. In keeping to his promise a total of Eight (8) Officers of the Command were given special promotion”, the CAC stated.
He recalled that earlier in the year, the Command was given a revenue target of 618 billion naira, and expressed his gladness, that the command exceeded the revenue target.
“I am glad to inform you that as of this morning the Command with the aid of stakeholder engagement, synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing, has surpassed the target given by generating a total revenue of 634 billion Naira which accounts for 103% of the annual target.
“This amount is over the 2023 collection by 321 billion Naira and represents a 98% increase over the 2023 generated revenue.
“In the area of anti-smuggling, the Command made a total of 76 container seizures comprising of arms, ammunition, illicit medicine, vegetable oil, foot wares, donkey skin, used cloths among others uncustomed goods used as concealment with a duty paid value of ₦150,872,551,207
“In export, the major commodities exported through this axis comprises of Agro and Mineral resources namely: sesame seeds, aluminium ingot, granular urea in bulk, wheat bran, orange peel among others and a total of 2,707,339.22 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $952,986,490.99 which is equivalent to ₦1,261,039,933,168.99 was processed through the Command this year”, Comptroller Babandede remarked, stressing that these were just a few of the results achieved with purposeful engagement of the stakeholders and partners in 2024, even as he looked forward to a more result oriented 2025.
