Customs at Onne Command hands over pistol, 100 live ammunition, two suspects to Police

Customs at Onne Command hands over pistol, 100 live ammunition, two suspects to Police

…Rakes in N246bn 
…Exceeds October revenue target with N10bn

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area 2 Command, Onne, has handed over pistol, 100 rounds of live ammunition and two suspects in its custody to the Nigerian Police.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Compt Baba Imam handed over the items during a press conference at the Command.

Also, he unveiled seizures of containers and other goods intercepted due to contravention of various customs laws and breach of procedures,  as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines Schedule 3 (by trade) and Schedule 4 (absolute prohibition).

Speaking further, the CAC informed :
“On October 26, 2023, during examination of imported container from United State, declared to contain household items and one used vehicle, it was found to contain one pistol and 100 rounds of live ammunition.

“The operatives of Customs Intelligence Unit attached to the group of examination officers were instrumental to the discovery of the Pistol and 100 rounds of live ammunition concealed within the vehicle.

“Consequently, two suspects were
arrested in connection to this importation. The pistol, ammunition as well as the two suspects shall all be handed over to the Nigerian Police shortly after this press briefing, as criminal cases relating to our collaborative functions with other Government agencies are handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”

He went on : “In our commitment and resolve at bringing down incidences of smuggling to the bearest minimum within this Area Command, we have on display today a total of 9 seized containers for violation of extant import prohibition laws.

“These seizures include: 724 bales of used clothings; 1805 used tyres; 4 Vehicles used in concealment of 76.9kg cannabis sativa (marijuana);
2070 cartons of Tomato paste; 1578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with codeine (100ml) and other items.

“The total duty paid value for these 9 containers is ₦1,162,424,371.00 (approximately N1.2 billion)”.

On revenue collection, Compt Imam pointed out : “Beyond these collaborative functions with other Government agencies and the seizures, also in the area of revenue generation, this Area Command recorded a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 billion from January to October 2023. This represents a significant increment of ₦44,145,889,008.65billion over the amount generated the same period in 2022.”

He emphasised : “It is pertinent to state here that the Command realised the sum of over N38 billion for the month of October alone, exceeding its monthly revenue target of N28 billion with an increment of over N10 billion.

“Let me at this point 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 deterrent to others. The Command and indeed the Customs of today have zero tolerance for smuggling.

“We have no reason not to perform, as encouragement, logistics and other incentives have been given by our amiable Comptroller General of Customs, CGC BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI, MFR, DSM, FNIPR, PSC(+); and these incentives have boosted the morale of all officers to be more determined than ever to fight smuggling.

“Let me equally use this medium to urge members of the public to cooperate and support Government agencies whose role is bringing about social justice, stability and peace in the Society.

“This Command has progressively sustained its past successes and will continue to do more before the end of the year. We will continue to partner with other Security Agencies to make this Area Command and indeed the country at large a safe place to dwell in”.