The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has generated ₦88.9 billion in revenue while recording seizures and detentions with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦2.15 billion.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller UU Adamu, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Customs House, Bompai, Kano, where he presented the Command’s performance on revenue generation, enforcement and other operational activities.
According to Adamu, the Command generated ₦63.07 billion during the first half of the year, while its year-to-date revenue has risen to ₦88.92 billion. He added that July recorded the highest monthly revenue collection in the history of the Command, with more than ₦14 billion generated during the month.
The Acting Controller said the Command’s enforcement operations led to the interception of various prohibited, restricted and controlled items, including 1,491 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 2,928 packs of foreign macaroni, 35 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 19 bags of expired foreign rice. It also seized 3,000 jerry cans of foreign refined and packaged vegetable oil and 514 cartons of assorted soaps.
The Command further intercepted eight suspected diverted transit truck heads and seven smuggled vehicles, while 712,690 tablets and 17,470 vials and ampoules of unregistered pharmaceutical products were seized and subsequently handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.
A major highlight of the operation was the interception of 48 endangered wildlife species on August 25, comprising 15 primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas and bush babies; four wild cats; 25 wild birds; two albino crocodiles and a honey badger.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the wildlife trafficking attempt and handed over to the Special Wildlife Office of the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters. The Command described the seizure as believed to be the largest and most diverse single wildlife seizure in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service and possibly the West African sub-region.
Other seizures included 6,072 counterfeit agro-packaging materials, five 40-foot diverted transit containers and vandalised high-voltage aluminium conductors. Two suspects were arrested over the vandalised infrastructure and are to be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further action.
In its anti-money laundering operations, the Command also intercepted undeclared foreign currencies comprising $73,300, £15,975 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals. Two suspects were arrested and, together with the currencies, handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kano Zonal Directorate.
Adamu also raised concern over the use of Government Service official plate numbers on some intercepted smuggled vehicles, saying the practice appeared designed to evade Customs control. He warned that the Command would continue to monitor such activities and enforce relevant laws.
While assuring legitimate traders of the Command’s support, the Acting Controller said Customs would continue to facilitate lawful trade through initiatives including the Authorized Economic Operator, Advance Ruling and One Stop Shop programmes.
He urged traders and businesses to comply with Customs laws and procedures, stressing that compliance would reduce delays, improve predictability and contribute to economic development.
Adamu said the Command would build on its achievements through professionalism, vigilance, collaboration and stakeholder engagement, in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.