Customs rakes in N246bn revenue from Onne Port

The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2, Onne, Rivers State, said on Friday that it generated a total sum of N246 billion in just 10 months.

The Comptroller of Customs in the command, Baba Imam, disclosed this to newsmen at a briefing in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the state.

According to him,  the command made the sum of N38 billion for October alone, more than its monthly revenue target of N28 billion with an increment of over N10 billion.

The command, he said impounded nine containers laden with various items such as 724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tyres, four vehicles used in the concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis, 2070 cartons of tomato paste whose total duty paid value was put at N1,162,424,371.00bn.

He stated that an imported container from the United States which was declared to contain household effects and one used vehicle was found to contain one pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition.

He said two suspects arrested in connection with the ammunition have been handed to the police for further investigation.

Imam stated, “Today’s briefing is the sequel to a series of events that have unfolded in the last six months.

“Above all, part of our event today is for you to witness the handover of a pistol, 100 pieces of 9mm ammunition, and two suspects in our custody in connection to the pistol and ammunition smuggling to the Nigerian police.

“On the 26th of October, 2023 in the course of examination of an imported container from the United States which was declared to contain household effects, 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 were instrumental in the discovery of the pistol and 100 rounds of live ammunition concealed within the vehicle.”

He added, “In the area of revenue generation and collection, this area command has generated a total of N246,025,872,903.80 billion from January 2023 to October 2023, this represents a significant increment of N44,145,889008.65 over the amount generated for 2022”

“It is pertinent to State here that the Command realized the sum of over N38bn with an increment of over N10 billion

‘Let me at this juncture, be emphatic that we do not just take delight in impounding containers or making seizures of contraband goods, rather we do this to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrents to others.”

While lauding his men for their vigilance and high commitment to duty, Imam said that the command will collaborate with sister agencies to make the country a safe place to live in.