Niger/Kogi Customs Area Command Records Seizures Worth Over ₦56m in November
The Niger/Kogi Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Busayo Kadejo, has displayed the command’s November 2023 accomplishments comprising seizures, anti-smuggling activities, and revenue generation.
Comptroller Busayo Kadejo made this disclosure during a press briefing on Tuesday, 28 November 2023, at the Command headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
During the specified period, the Command recorded a total revenue of N10,020,990.00, predominantly from the issuance of Demand Notices (D/N).
Regarding anti-smuggling, the Customs Area Controller noted that the Command arrested a smuggled Range Rover/Land Rover 2019 Model with a Diplomatic Vehicle Registration Plate Number, which he said was treacherous and connoted a risky security implication.
In addition, he reported the seizures of other exotic cars and vehicles totaling eleven (11) units of various makes.
Comptroller Kadejo furthermore disclosed other seizures and detentions recorded at different places within the Command’s Area of Responsibilities (AOR), which comprises a truck laden with dutiable items, jerry-cans retaining PMS (Premium Motor Spirit). The Cumulative Duty Paid Value of all the seized items amounted to ₦56,661,598.00.
It will be recalled that earlier this year, the Command intercepted and handed over 317 Packages (Blocks) of Compressed Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) weighing 253.6 kg with an estimated Street Value of ₦20,605,00.00, to the Commander of NDLEA, Niger State, and a truck laden with Nigeria Railway Corporation Locomotive Parts (slippers) to the Commandant of NSCDC, Niger State.
Comptroller Kadejo attributed the Command’s achievements to the immense deployment of and dependence on intelligence gathering alongside its collaboration with border communities and Royal Fathers.
“To achieve this feat, we deployed massive intelligence and respected our rules of engagement, hence no casualties. In a bid to carry out my mandate, I have been engaging the Border Communities. I appreciate the role of the Chief Executives of the two (2) states (Niger and Kogi) respectively and that of the Royal fathers,” he said.
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He equally appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for creating a conducive working atmosphere for Officers to efficiently perform their duties.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs, BA Adeniyi and his Management Team created an enabling environment for officers to perform effectively. One such gesture is the provision of two (2) units of Toyota Land Cruiser and a unit of Toyota Hiace Ambulance for Patrol and the well-being of Officers and Men. We are indeed very grateful,” he noted.
The Niger/Kogi Customs Area Command Controller reiterated the command’s responsibility to decisively deal with smugglers and clamp down on all criminal elements in the land while vowing to uphold the mandate of the Service and Federal Government fiscal policies.
“Our job is to implement the Federal Government’s fiscal policies. We are committed to achieving that and are determined to frontally confront smugglers and all other economic saboteurs whose antics we will always discover and continue to make arrests, seizures, and cripple their operations,” he emphasized.
He, however, expressed his profound gratitude to the Media for their outstanding job of educating the public on the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service and the sister Agencies for maintaining robust synergy between them.