Seme Customs Command records milestones in anti-smuggling operations

Seme Customs Command records milestones in anti-smuggling operations

… hands over N2.763bn to EFCC, makes seizures worth millions of Naira 

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Seme Border Command, Compt Dera Nnadi, mni and his dogged officers have made the Service and entire Nigerian nation proud with their landmark achievements in anti-smuggling operations at the border communities.

Some of the anti-smuggling landmarks of the Command in first quarter of 2023 include seizure of fake $6million, equivalent of N2.763 billion, at exchange rate of N460.52.

Compt Nnadi, known to be anti-smuggling Czar, also seized four trailer loads of foreign rice, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N72, 700, 480; 227,610 litres of smuggled petrol, equivalent of seven tanker loads, valued at N51, 075, 684 and
550 pieces of donkey skin, worth N10, 689,504.

Addressing Journalists during press conference yesterday, when the seized N2.763 billion was handed over to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Compt Nnadi, said that a secured border will translate to more revenue collection.

In the same vein, Compt Nnadi, handed over seizures of six Maltese International Passports with the same picture of a lady but bearing different names, two Senegalese International Passports, three Togolese International Passports, four Republic of Benin International Passports, one Republic of Niger International Passport and 10 International Drivers’ Licenses of various countries to Nigeria Immigration Service.

The items were handed over to appropriate government agencies, following a directive from the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Hameed Ibrahim Ali, in line with the Service desire to consolidate synergy between Customs and partner agencies.

More so, the Command equally seized 34 pieces of monkey skin and 14 parcels of cannabis sativa, among other items.

On revenue collection, the Command realised N350million within the period under review.

Giving details on trade facilitation, the CAC revealed :  “For export, 1,243 trucks bearing 40,096.47 metric tons of made in Nigeria cargo declared on 165 Single Administrative Documents (SAD) with Free On Board value of N4, 291,322,887.19; and National Export Supervision Scheme fee of N21, 456,551.83K were recorded.”

He explained :  “One of the core mandates of the Service in Seme as elsewhere is trade facilitation. The Command is conscious of its strategic location as the foremost frontier for trade and tourism in West and Central Africa, particularly the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and emerging African Continental Free Tade Agreement (AfCFTA).

“Nigeria has lots of potentials in trade regimes considering its GDP, population and industrial capacity, which are the highest in the West and Central African sub-region

However, import and export have not been fully enhanced since the opening of land Borders, as directed by the Federal Government, because traders are still bracing with the challenges of having been out of business for over two years”

Responding to questions on remarkable achievements made in only two months and two weeks he assumed office, the CAC pointed out :
“These achievements so far, were not made on a silver platter. It took painstaking efforts of officers, who spent hours on patrol and surveillance to record the seizures. We wish to reiterate that we will not relent on these efforts. For this reason, the officers are being commended”.

He went on : “The Command will continue to dialogue, engage and educate the public on economic implications of smuggling, as well as performing statutory function of enforcing compliance in line with government fiscal policies.

“We are calling on stakeholders in Seme Krake Corridor and beyond  to embrace AfCFTA; while consolidating on the gains of ETLS.  I thank our stakeholders for their support. It is gratifying to note that we are all on the same page, on the need to improve on our relationship, with a view to maximizing opportunities offered the proximity of the State to the border and develop trade in Lagos State.

“Let me at this interval appreciate the collaborative efforts of sister agencies in the fight against smuggling and appeal for their continuous support. It is important to note that activities embarked upon by the Command is a patriotic duty in the interest of national security and economic wellbeing of Nigeria. NCS operatives in observance of the rules of engagement will continue to carry out legitimate duties as prescribed by the law.

“We thank the CGC and management of Customs, officers and men of the Command, community leaders and partner government agencies showing concern and collaborating with the Service for their continuous support. We also thank and appreciate the Press for being objective in reporting the challenges faced by Officers while executing their duties.”