The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area II Command in Onne, Rivers State, has generated over ₦550 billion in revenue as of November 11, 2024, achieving 89% of its ₦618 billion annual target. This was revealed by Comptroller Mohammed Babandede during a press briefing at Onne Port, where he also showcased the Command’s significant strides in anti-smuggling operations.
Seizures and Duty Paid Value (DPV)
Babandede highlighted the interception of 21 containers of illicit drugs and donkey skins valued at ₦46 billion in DPV. This contributes to the Command’s 2024 total of 63 seized containers, with a combined DPV exceeding ₦130 billion.
Breakdown of Seized Items
The seized goods include:
Drugs:
2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Codeine-based cough syrup
27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Tramadol and similar drugs
7,665,000 fake antibiotics without NAFDAC approval
Other counterfeit and unregistered medications
Other Items:
2,100 pieces of donkey skin valued at ₦441 million
Concealed contraband such as sanitary fittings and chilly cutters
State of Emergency on Smuggling
To strengthen enforcement, a three-month anti-smuggling state of emergency was declared by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. This directive empowered officers to scrutinize suspicious shipments more rigorously, ensuring thorough inspections of all containers.
Comptroller Babandede credited this strategy, along with collaboration with NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, and Quarantine Services, for the Command’s effectiveness in safeguarding public health and national security.
Anti-Smuggling Achievements
This year, the Onne Command seized:
844 rifles
112,500 rounds of live ammunition
Over 6.4 million bottles of codeine syrup
Nearly 57 million Tramadol tablets and other prohibited drugs
These seizures breached provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the revised Import Prohibition Guidelines (2022–2026).
Revenue Performance and Trade Facilitation
In revenue collection, the Command utilized tools such as the World Customs Organization’s Time Release Study (TRS) to streamline trade processes and maximize income. By November, it had recorded ₦550.4 billion in revenue.
Export operations also saw substantial success, with the processing of 2,436,408 metric tonnes of goods valued at $826.6 million (Free on Board), boosting economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.
Recognition and Call for Collaboration
Comptroller Babandede commended the media for fostering public awareness and compliance with trade regulations. He also reported that seized items had been transferred to agencies like NDLEA and NAFDAC for further action.
The briefing concluded with a call for strengthened partnerships between the Customs Service and stakeholders to sustain progress in revenue generation and anti-smuggling efforts.
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