By Omenihu Alfred fibmn
The Comptroller of Customs Ihenacho Ernest Ojike, the Customs’ Area Controller at Kebbi Command in his maiden press conference has from the comnand’s headqaluarter Birnin Kebbi recently announced an overwhelming success recorded by the command in two months.
” I am pleased to welcome you to our maiden press briefing holding at the Headquarters of Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, Birnin-Kebbi to brief you on our activities for the last two months on the areas of anti-smuggling, revenue generation, trade facilitation and subsequently the handing over of some certain items to the appropriate sister agencies.
“As the Customs Area Controller saddled with the responsibility of steering the affairs of Kebbi Area Command by Our able Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, myself and my team have dedicated our operations to making sure that smuggling activities are reduced to the barest minimum in the State, and to enhance revenue generation for the federal government.
ANTI SMUGGLING
“Barely two months since I took over, the Command has intensified the fight against smuggling to curb its menace by engaging in intense patrols throughout the nooks and crannies of Kebbi State. We make use of Intelligence to enhance our operations, and we also engage in sensitizing the host communities as to the dangers of smuggling. Of course, smuggling is injurious to the economy as well as wellbeing of the citizens, and also, smuggling portends grave danger to the security of the nation. Our operations so far have yielded positive outcome leading to several seizures of items within the period under review as listed below:
1. 212 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50Kg each and 28 bags of 25Kg each
2. 200 bales of used secondhand clothing (Jumbo size) and 50 bales of normal size.
3. 10,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
4. 39 lumps of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa)
5. 78 rolls of Diclofenac Sodium
6. 300 wraps of diazepam tablets 5mg each
7. 57 packs of Sex enhancement drug (Black Diamond)
8. 150 Expired Powdered Milk
9. 50 pieces of used tyres and 20 pieces of rims
10. 20 cartons of foreign spaghetti
11. 20 bags of foreign sugar
12. 10 jerrycans of vegetable oils
The combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is one hundred and twenty six million, two hundred and seventy eight thousand, nine hundred and fifty nine naira, sixty kobo (₦126, 278, 959.60K). The PMS value is not included in the DPV because is given at our revenue generation section as receipts from auction sales.
This remarkable achievement was as a result of resilience and courageous effort of our Operations teams, Intelligence Unit, Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) and collaboration with sister agencies.
The Indian hemp will be handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while Diazapem tablets will be given to NAFDAC as the appropriate agencies to attend to the respective substance, shortly after the briefing.
Gentlemen of the press, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 233 and 234 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 has empowered customs officers to confiscate uncustomed goods smuggled into Nigeria and also, section 245 gives the power to detain, seize and prosecute such goods.
REVENUE GENERATION
“Revenue generation in Kebbi Command has stalled in recent times due to the border closure between Nigeria, Benin republic and Niger Republic. Just recently, federal government has authorized the re-opening of Kamba border as the only import/export outlet for the state now. Even with this challenge, the Command manages to generate the sum of seven million, two hundred and fifteen thousand, five hundred naira (₦7, 215, 500) in the two months under review, which is 125% increase as compared to the two previous months. The ten thousand, and twenty five (10,025) litres of seized PMS which is valued at two million, and five thousand naira (₦2, 005, 000) is expected to also increase the revenue when auctioned to the public.
Our revenue comes as a result of receipts from auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), auctioned vehicles and Customs agent’s licences renewal fees. But with the opening of the border we are optimistic to have an increase in revenue generation.
On trade facilitation, we have been engaging stakeholders on the need for legitimate trade. We also meet with traditional rulers and their subjects to further enlighten them on the dangers of smuggling of border communities. We also collaborate with relevant sister agencies to also enhance our operations in terms of security and intelligence to improve legitimate cross-border trade with our neigbhours.
“It is notable to mention that exportation of grains are still restricted, and we are here to ensure they do not leave the shores of these country as it has become imperative to secure our locally produced grains so as to prevent our country from plunging into food crisis.
Thank you for your attention.”
