The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the confiscation of two pistols concealed inside a container, along with other contraband goods valued at N506 billion over the past six months.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Usman, a total of 16 seizures were made during this period, amounting to a duty paid value of N1.4 billion.
The seized items comprised prohibited drugs, used tyres, rice, vegetable oil, and various other items deemed illegal or prohibited under customs regulations.
“It is noteworthy that the command made a seizure of two pistols inside one group-age cargo. One suspect is arrested, and the matter is undergoing investigation,” the statement read in part.
The Area Controller, Auwal Mohammed, stated that the recorded revenue collection and seizures were a result of enhanced compliance measures.
The controller encouraged the customs officers to maintain their dedication to their duties, ensuring effective revenue collection and safeguarding against smuggling activities to promote lawful trade practices in the region.
Mohammed said, “The command made a collection of N9.2bn on July 20, 2023. This feat is the highest daily collection it ever achieved in its existence since the port was established. Service has collected a total of N502bn from January 2023 till date and made 16 seizures worth a duty paid value of N1.4bn within the same period.”
He added that the command under his leadership had achieved an increased level of compliance by importers, exporters, and their agents through deliberate system profiling and manifest tracking.
“This has helped in treating traders in line with their previous transaction records, which is reassuring that compliance pays through time-saving and cost efficiency,” he added.
