Story by Dili Utomi.
“Credible intelligence coupled with committed and thorough examination of cargoes led us to the discovery of most of the seized items”.
Above are some of the words of the Customs Area Controller of the Murtala Mohammed Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe who briefed the press, Wednesday at the premises of the Command.
The CAC had used the opportunity to present his scorecard for the period of January to November 2025 and also to reveal the extent of his Command’s performance.
He said “In line with the Service’s commitment to safeguarding our national borders and protecting the economy, the Command intensified its anti-smuggling operations within the period under review. During this period, we successfully intercepted and seized the following prohibited items:
1. 3pkgs of Colorado CAT Leaf
2. 4pkgs of Nigeria Immigration Service uniform materials
3. 1pkg Two-way Radio Walkie Talkie
4. 1pkg of TIPPMANN Semi-Automatic 50/68 Calibre Magfed Paintball marker gun
5. 75pkgs of Pangolin Scales
6. 1pkg of Elephant Tusk
7. 2pkgs of Canadian Cannabis Sativa
8. 6pkgs of 225mg Tramadol Hydrochloride
9. 17pkgs of unregistered 300mg Pregabalin tablets
10. 5pkgs of unregistered 2mg Sardulud and 50mg Norflex tablets
11. 6pkgs of 225mg Tramadol Hydrochloride.
12. 523pcs of signed Deutsch Bank and AIB Bank Cheques”.
“The total Duty Paid Value of these seizures is Seven Billion, Two Hundred and One Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty Two Naira (₦7,201,895,232.00) only”.
In the period under review, the Command generated a total of One Hundred and Seventy Nine Billion, Nine Hundred and Ten Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy One Thousand, One Hundred and Two Naira, Eighty One kobo (₦179,910,971,102.81k) only from customs duties and related charges.
The revenue generated shows a significant improvement over the One Hundred and Sixty Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Nineteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty Seven Naira that was generated in the corresponding period in 2024. This reflects an outstanding 9.16% increase, amounting to Fifteen Billion. Ninety One Million, Seventy Five Thousand, Six hundred and forty Five Naira, Eighty One kobo (₦15,091075,640.81k) only growth.
It should be noted that some of the seized items such as the 523 bank cheques were already signed and concealed in different undergraduate project books of the University of Port Harcourt and the Enugu State University.
Comptroller Awe while fielding questions from journalists disclosed that “some of the suspects have been prosecuted, some on administrative bail, some are still under investigation while some have actually absconded”
He also noted that about 20 officers of the Command have been issued with letters of commendation for diligence and commitment to duty, stating that the morale of the officers at the Command is very high.
He advised those engaging in illicit trade to seek legitimate means of livelihood for the long arms of the law will always catch up with them if they do not change.
CAC Awe also explained that the drugs were supposed to be handed over to the officers of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the day, but that the officers have been very much engaged with other official matters.
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