Onne Customs Command Seizes Illicit Goods Worth ₦20.3 Billion, Surpasses Revenue Target in 2024
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area 2 Command, Onne, has concluded 2024 on a high note with impressive achievements in anti-smuggling operations, revenue generation, and export facilitation. Addressing journalists during an end-of-year briefing on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede highlighted the Command's successes, including the interception of illicit goods valued at over ₦20.3 billion and surpassing its annual revenue target.
Major Seizures
Since its last media update in November, the Command intercepted 12 containers loaded with illicit medicines and other prohibited goods. The breakdown of the seized items includes:
- 1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup with Codeine
- 510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac
- 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal Apple Tramadol and Tramaking
- Concealment materials, including 3,461 pieces of sanitary ware fittings and 840 pieces of chilly cutters
- 153 cartons of TVS rubber
The total duty-paid value of these items stands at ₦20,309,890,800.
Comptroller Babandede attributed the success to the diligence and vigilance of the Command's officers and reaffirmed the NCS's commitment to protecting public health and securing Nigeria's entry points.
Record-Breaking Revenue Generation
The Onne Command surpassed its 2024 revenue target of ₦618 billion by generating ₦634 billion, achieving 103% of the annual target. This figure represents a remarkable 98% increase over the ₦321 billion collected in 2023.
Babandede credited this achievement to enhanced stakeholder engagement, intelligence sharing, and synergy with partner organizations.
Export Facilitation
The Command also recorded significant progress in export activities. It processed 2,707,339.22 metric tonnes of agro and mineral resources, including sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, and granular urea. These goods, with a free-on-board (FOB) value of $952.98 million (equivalent to ₦1.26 trillion), underscore the Command’s role in promoting Nigeria’s export sector.
Anti-Smuggling Operations
The Command made 76 container seizures this year, including arms, ammunition, vegetable oil, footwear, donkey skin, and other uncustomed goods. The total duty-paid value of these seizures was ₦150.87 billion.
Promotions and Rewards
Comptroller Babandede acknowledged the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for recognizing the exceptional efforts of the Onne Command. Eight officers received special promotions for their role in intercepting 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition earlier in the year.
In addition, numerous officers were promoted across various ranks, with 14 Deputy Comptrollers elevated to Comptrollers, 6 Assistant Comptrollers promoted to Deputy Comptrollers, and many others advancing to higher positions.
A Vision for 2025
Comptroller Babandede expressed optimism for 2025, promising continued engagement with stakeholders and a focus on achieving even greater results in anti-smuggling, revenue generation, and trade facilitation.
He concluded by thanking the media and stakeholders for their support, reiterating the Command’s commitment to protecting the nation and fostering economic growth.
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