Seme Customs Records Seizures Worth Over N1.8bn, Makes 1.9bn Revenue in 8 Months

Joy Mmereole Okoli

With less than four months left in 2023, the Out-going Area Controller of the Seme/Badagry border Command, Compt Dera Nnadi, mni has announced collection of N1,904,459, 390.77 revenue by the command between January 23 and September 8, 2023.

Nnadi revealed this during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday as he showcased several seizures made by the command which represents 97.2% of N1,960,000,000 allotted target for the year.

“The 2023 revenue target for the Command is One Billion Nine Hundred and Sixty Million Naira Only. As at this morning the 8th of September, 2023 the Command has collected One Billion Nine Hundred and Four Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Naira, Seventy Seven Kobo (N1,904,459, 390.77) only. This represents 97.2% of N1,960,000,000 allotted target for the year 2023”

“In the corresponding period under review for year 2022, the revenue was Eight Hundred and Eighty Five Million, Five Hundred and Forty Three Thousand, Ninety Eight Naira Eleven Kobo (N885,543,098.11) The implication is that the Command’s revenue profile witnessed a tremendous increase of N1, 018,916, 292. 33 (51.98%)”, the Customs boss said.

Nnadi attributed this feat to the painstaking efforts made by the leadership of the Command in partnership with stakeholders to ensure compliance with the nation’s revenue generation agenda.

Meanwhile, along the Badagry coast earlier today, the Command’s officers led by a Superintendent of Customs, Emeka Ashinze intercepted 1,364 units of 30litres jerrycans of PMS equivalent to 40,800 litres over one Tanker Load and with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N24,663,355.

Comptroller Nnadi observed that the massive PMS seizures occured few hours after news broke of his redeployment to Tin Can Island Port, however, he stressed that smugglers will be making a tragic mistake if they assume the Seme border will become safe haven for smuggling in his absence.

“This seizure wasn’t carried out by Comptroller Nnadi. I was only informed about it and rushed down here to see it. We have officers with high integrity and committed to putting the nation first. I’m just the administrative head, but smugglers will continue to deal with the operational officers at Gbaji and other locations and they will be making a huge mistake thinking that they are going to have leeway to smuggle,” he said.

According to the Area Controller, the duty paid value for items seized for the period January to 8th Septmeber 2023 is N1,827,362,619.

In line with Customs approach of rewarding good conduct, 18 officers at Command received commendation letters from the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

“Officers of the Command that were involved in the seizures of fake Six million USD ($6,000,000) currency, Fifteen (15) fake international passports and Ten (10) Driver’s license, and that of Donkey skins in January, 2023 have been commended by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,” said Nnadi.

Nnadi thanked the Comptroller General of Customs and his management team for their support to the command, he also thanked his predecessor ACG Bello Jibo for fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the command and the host community at the Seme border region.

“Let me appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs for his support to the Command and also appreciate the Seme Badagry Community for their cooperation and to officers and men of the Command for their gallantry and patriotism,” he said.