- Compt. Mohammed Yusuf
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Nigeria’s numerous adverse economic challenges notwithstanding, the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected a total revenue of N45,232,483,528 in the first quarter of 2024.
Making this disclosure in his review of the command’s activities in the period under review, the Area Controller, Compt. Mohammed Yusuf, said the figure exceeded the N21,362,752,676.44 collected in the corresponding period of 2023 by N23,869,730,851.56, representing 111.7 per cent.
He noted that though important sectors of the economy were adversely affected by the unstable exchange rate, among others, the “command remains resolute at ensuring that we collect the much-needed revenue for the Federal Government and also ensure the safety and well-being of the citizenry through curbing smuggling to its barest minimum, while facilitating legitimate import and export trades.
“Similarly, the command has recorded an appreciable increase in its anti-smuggling drive, which led to the interception of 50 pieces of 9mm live ammunitions discovered in a joint examination conducted by the service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).”
He listed the first quarter seizures to include 1,164kg sea cucumbers, 58kg of donkey genitals and 17 cartons of tramadol – all with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the N5,794,099,371.119, adding that the items contravened some of the provisions of NCS Act 2023.
He further explained that the command has maintained an “open-door policy and resolved a lot of issues of common interest with concerned stakeholders,” while thanking the critical stakeholders, including sister-agencies and the media, for their collaboration and synergy in the discharge of the command’s statutory mandate in the state.
Yusuf further commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashiru Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for their continued support, just as he thanked the officers and men of the command, urging them to remain focused and steadfast in their assigned responsibilities.
