The Area 2, Customs Command, Onne Port, Rivers State of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a revenue generation of N190.5bn, dangerous seizures valued over N10.2bn in first quarter of 2025.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, made this declaration on Tuesday April 16, 2025 at the Command, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He lamented the negative impact of smuggling on citizens, business and the economy, stating that the criminals will be dealt with in line the extant laws.
Babandede, said: “The Service ensures compliance with Customs laws and government policies on international trade. 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.
“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”.
A total of 20 containers were seized from January to March 2025 namely;
1 X 40ft Container TLLU6901759 STC, 158,400 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100mls each), 11,690 pieces of Chilly Cutter1 X 40ft Container MRKU 2117319 STC 158,400 bottles of Barcadin with Codeine Syrup (100ml each) and 240 pieces of Local Sanitary Wares
2 X 40ft Containers MRKU4875853 and TCNU2623453 STC 271,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), 85,000 bottles of CSMIX with Codeine (100ml), 1,200 pieces of Cock, 94 cartons of sanitary wares and 21 cartons of TBS rubber.
Also among the seizures were 4 X 20ft containers PCIU0094329, PCIU1014858, PCIU1367243, PCIU00229679 STC 64,416 X (400mg each) tins of Soupy Tomato Paste, 16,104 X (200mg each) tins of Soupy Tomato Paste, 1 X 40ft Container MEDU7751984 STC 280 bales of used clothes and two cartons of toys
6 X 20ft Containers MEDU6909397, TGBU3174254, CAIU6719204, TTNU1932358, GLDU5050514, MEDU2120820 STC 6,300 X (25litres each) Jerry cans of Delicieux Cooking Oil
2 X 20ft Containers GLDU3216822 and MEDU1266507 STC 2,100 Jerry cans of Super Gold Vegetable Cooking Oil (25ltrs each).
Equally seized were 1 X 40ft TCKU7701615 STC 980,000 tablets of Tamol-X, 4,830,000 Capsules of Pregabalin (300mg each) and 288 cartons of WC 1X 40ft container MSMU5925355 STC 320 bales of used clothes, 1 X 40ft container TCKU 6160305 STC 360 bales of used clothing, two bags of personal effects and one box of personal effects.
Babandede said 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.
He announced the cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of the seized goods presented as N10, 293,677,040.00).
On revenue, he reported that N190, 569,212,397.42 was collected as revenue during the first quarter (January to March) of 2025 as against a total of N162, 705,313,561.48 collected in the first quarter of the year 2024.
The figures, he pointed out shows a remarkable improvement with a difference of N27, 864,668,442.61 representing a 17.12 per cent increase against the first quarter of 2024.
On Export, the CAC said the Command exported 1.274, 695MTS comprising mostly agricultural products and solid minerals. The total products exported stood at a value of N2,345,268,122.
Speaking on trade facilitation, he commended the introduction of the B’Odogwu, saying that it is a result oriented initiative by the NCS, announcing that the Command trained stakeholders on this Unified Information Management System in order to understand the modality of its operation for efficiency in the clearing procedure and better revenue collection.
In the NCS continued effort to collaborate with all agencies of government for better results in service delivery, Babandede handed over a 1x20ft Container found to contain donkey skin meant for export to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.”
He expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, members of the management team for providing the enabling environment to work successively and the officers and men of the Command for their support, teamwork and dedication towards achieving these great feats.