The Seme Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Tuesday that its officers have processed export cargoes worth N13.057 billion between January and the present date along the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Customs Command, Controller Timi Bomodi, explained that the Command was given a target of N7.875 billion to collect in 2024, representing an increase of over 400 percent in collections compared to the target of 2023.
According to Controller Bomodi, “The target of N7.875 billion given to us to collect in the current year translates to a monthly collectible revenue of N656.258 million.
In January 2024, the Command collected ₦643,038,611.16, while in February, we collected ₦517,950,286.14, making a total of ₦1,160,988,897.30.
This is about 88 percent of the total expected revenue. The shortfall in expected collections can be attributed to the total aggregate decline in imports occasioned by the high exchange rate.
“In the area of export, the Command has processed 184 Export declarations for 43 items with a total weight of 65,185.96 MT and an FOB of N13.057 billion Naira.
The total amount collected for NESS was N65.337 Million Naira, and N24.407 Million Naira as Export Surcharge for previously imported goods.
“It is important first to highlight the numerous challenges encountered by officers in enforcing government policies, the primary among which is the difficult terrain.
However, since NCS Management provided special-purpose vehicles and other critical assets and rejigged inter-agency affairs, things have taken a positive turn here at the Seme/Krake joint border post.
“In the area of anti-smuggling activities, between January and February 2024, the Command successfully made 168 interventions, which resulted in the seizure of 2,193 bags of 50kg (3 trailer load equivalent) foreign parboiled rice; 81,930 liters (3 tankers equivalent); 9 vehicles; 1425 General merchandise; 265 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and other narcotics; 149kg of codeine and 2 locally manufactured guns.
All with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365,888,696.00.
“A total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures. Six of them were granted administrative bail, three were handed over to NDLEA for further agency action, One was handed over to the Nigerian Police, while three suspects are still in our custody.
“At this point, it is important to highlight the importance of the Joint Security Meetings held regularly here at the Joint Border Post. These meetings provide valuable intelligence and opportunities to cross-fertilize ideas about Border management.
We note that collaboration holds the key to success in border management, that’s why we’ve insisted on information sharing among sister agencies.
“In light of our present economic realities, where massive food shortages have been reported across the country, and in line with the directive to ensure grains are not exported illegally, the Command made a seizure of a truckload of beans, totaling 400 bags with a DPV of ₦61,450,00.00, stockpiled in a warehouse at one of the exit corridors in the border.
This item has since been deposited in the Government warehouse for safekeeping and eventual sale to the public.
“In the same vein, the continuous surveillance of the border by our officers and men has resulted in the interceptions of 400×30 liters of PMS equivalent to 12,000 liters with a DPV of ₦8,347,680 in the early hours of Saturday, 2nd March 2024 along the creeks.
The PMS seized will be auctioned in line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of sales of seized perishable items as directed by the Service.
“The Lagos-Abidjan corridor, of which the Lagos Badagry expressway is a major composite, is a singular passageway accessible via multiple tributaries.
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Our creeks and the Atlantic traverse this single entry point. That is why collaboration with the Nigerian Navy is imperative and significant. The Nigerian Air Force and Army have provided critical support throughout this period.
“As the lead agency in border security and facilitators of international trade, we are constantly aware of the need to balance both responsibilities through the use of risk management tools at our disposal. We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by our activities will spare no effort in devising new methods to counter us.
Some of these efforts will include misinformation and disinformation.
We would like to assure the public that we will continue to remain alive to our responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent upon casting aspersions on our officers, some of whom have paid the ultimate price for the service to their country.
Others have been severely maimed and will bear the scars of their bravery to their graves.”
