Comptroller Babandede
The Nigeria Customs Service Port Harcourt II Command Onne, has announced the confiscation of a total of 20 containers seized from January to March 2025.
The NCS puts the cumulative paid duty value of the confiscated items at over ten billion Naira.
The exercise aims at enforcing customs laws and regulations to prevent smuggling, tax evasion, and other forms of non-compliance and protection intellectual property rights by preventing the importation of counterfeit goods.
Announcing this during its first quarter media briefing, the Customs Area Controller Port Harcourt 11 command Onne, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, said the ij Nigeria Customs Service is a vital government agency that contributes to the country’s economic development and security.
According to him, it is a significant source of revenue for the government through the collection of import duties and levies.
He said: “The Service also ensures compliance with Customs laws and government policies on international trade.
“It is important to know that importing illicit drugs and other prohibited wares into the country can have serious consequences for both the public and society.
“Worthy of note is the fact that perpetrating any act of illegal activity is criminal and remains punishable under the Nigeria Customs extant laws, with the legal consequence of being punishable with either a fine or imprisonment, or both, as the case may be.
“The impact of the influx of illicit drugs can lead to increased rates of crime, substance abuse, addiction, and health-related issues in the communities. Hence, there is a need to nip it in the bud.
“The cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of the seized goods presented is worth Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-three Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-seven Thousand, Fourty Naira (N10, 293,677,040.00)”
Controller Mohamed Babandede enumerated the brands and types of the seizures to include 1 X 40ft Container TLLU6901759 STC 158,400 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100mls each) and 11,690 pieces of Chilly Cutter;
1 X 40ft Container MRKU 2117319 STC 158,400 bottles of Barcadin with Codeine Syrup (100ml each) and 240 pieces of Local Sanitary Wares 2 X 40ft Containers MRKU4875853 & TCNU2623453 STC 271,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), 85,000 bottles of CSMIX with Codeine (100ml), 1,200 pieces of Cock and 94 cartons of sanitary wares and 21 cartons of TBS rubber
4 X 20ft containers PCIU0094329, PCIU1014858, PCIU1367243, & PCIU00229679 STC 64,416 X (400mg each) tins of Soupy.
Others are Tomato Paste, 16,104 cups X (200mg each) tins of Soupy Tomato Paste.
1 X 40ft Container MEDU7751984 STC 280 bales of used clothes and 2 cartons of toys
6 X 20ft Containers MEDU6909397, TGBU3174254, CAIU6719204, TTNU1932358, GLDU5050514 & MEDU2120820 STC 6,300 X (25litres each) Jerry cans of Delicieux Cooking Oil
2 X 20ft Containers GLDU3216822 & MEDU1266507 STC 2,100 Jerry cans of Super Gold Vegetable Cooking Oil (25ltrs each)
1 X 40ft TCKU7701615 STC 980,000 tablets of Tamol-X, 4,830,000 Capsules of Pregabalin (300mg each) and 288 cartons of WC 1X 40ft container MSMU5925355 STC 320 bales of used clothes 1 X 40ft container TCKU 6160305 STC 360 bales of used clothing, 2 bags of personal effects and 1 box of personal effects.
These seizures according to Controller Babandede were perfected by men of Nigeria Customs Services through courage, bravery, high level of integrity, and the self-determined posture of the officers to be patriotic to their oath of allegiance; exhibited through objective and careful examination, meticulous documentary checks and professionalism.
The Controller stated that the total revenue his command has generated in the first quarter huge sum; “The sum of One Hundred and Ninety Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-nine Million, Two Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-seven Naira, Fourty-two Kobo (N190, 569,212,397.42) was collected as revenue during the first quarter (January-March) of the year 2025. During the first quarter of the year 2024, a total of One Hundred and Sixty-two Billion, Seven Hundred and Five Million, Three Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Five Hundred Sixty-one Naira, Fourty-eight Kobo (N162, 705,313,561.48) was collected. This shows a remarkable improvement with a difference of Twenty Seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-four Million, Six Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fourty-two Naira, Sixty-one Kobo (N27, 864,668,442.61); this represents a 17.12% increase against the first quarter of 2024”.
He further reiterated the Command exported 1.274, 695MTS comprising of mostly agricultural products and solid minerals. The total products exported stood at a value of Two Billion, Three Hundred and Fourty-five Million, Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-two Naira (2,345,268,122).
The command according to the Controller is also making significant progress in trade facilitation “The Nigeria Customs Service is making significant strides in trade facilitation through its modernization project. This initiative integrates various applications, platforms, and hardware into a comprehensive import and export management system. This Command leveraged this project with yielding remarkable results which includes the efficient release of containers. We trained stakeholders on the B’odogwu Unified Information Management System in order to understand the modality of its operation for efficiency in the clearing procedure and better revenue collection”.
The press briefing/seizure exhibition and identification of the seized containers were heads of sisters law enforcement agencies.
