Onne Customs Command Surpasses 2024 Revenue Target, Breaks Record in Anti-Smuggling Operations
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 2 Command, Onne, has concluded 2024 on a high note, achieving groundbreaking successes in anti-smuggling operations, revenue generation, and export facilitation.
At a year-end press briefing held on Tuesday, 31 December 2024, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, outlined the Command’s remarkable accomplishments.
Comptroller Babandede announced the interception of 12 containers (40 feet) of illicit medicines and other contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N20,309,890,800. This significant seizure included:
1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine
510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac
7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal Apple Tramadol and Tramaking
Concealments within 3,461 pieces of sanitary ware fittings, 840 chilly cutters, and 153 cartons of TVS rubber
“These seizures underscore the dedication and vigilance of our officers in safeguarding the nation against illicit trade and ensuring public health and safety,” Comptroller Babandede remarked.
The Command surpassed its annual revenue target of N618 billion by generating N634 billion, representing 103% of the target and a 98% increase over the 2023 revenue.
This achievement, attributed to stakeholder engagement, synergy, and intelligence sharing, highlights the Command’s efficiency in trade facilitation and compliance enforcement.
In the export sector, Area 2 Command facilitated the shipment of 2,707,339.22 metric tonnes of agro and mineral resources, including sesame seeds, aluminium ingots, and wheat bran.
The exports, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of $952,986,490.99 (N1,261,039,933,168.99), reinforced the Command’s role in boosting Nigeria’s non-oil export economy.
The Area 2 Command was celebrated as the best Command in anti-smuggling operations by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Eight officers received special promotions for their role in the September interception of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.
Additionally, 109 officers of the Command were promoted across various ranks in the 2024 exercise.
Comptroller Babandede highlighted the seizure of 76 containers of uncustomed goods, including arms, ammunition, vegetable oil, and donkey skins, with a cumulative DPV of N150,872,551,207.
The Comptroller expressed optimism for the coming year, stating, “These results are products of purposeful engagement with stakeholders. We look forward to achieving even greater successes in 2025.”
As the Command reflects on an extraordinary year, Comptroller Babandede extended his gratitude to stakeholders, the media, and the public for their support, emphasising the collective responsibility in securing the nation’s borders and fostering economic growth.
