MMA customs surpasses revenue target, hits over N28b in two months, intercepts ammunition

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Comptroller Mohammed Sanni Yusuf, led Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has made a significant increase in revenue generation, generated N28,997,303,642k for the months of January and February 2024.

Having surpassed the command’s January and February revenue target of N23,965,232, 280.32k the controller expressed this as an extraordinary milestone in revenue collection.

In a release signed by Victor Ogagbor, Public Relations Officer of the command, 50 pieces of live ammunition was also intercepted from smugglers as well as some wildlife and endangered species.

Attributing these impressive collections to the fallout of the synergy and compliance from both officers and stake holders, Yusuf urged officers and men of the command to sustain the tempo of increased revenue collection.

The collected revenue, according to Ogagbor who is a Superintendent of Customs, was broken down showing that in the month of January 2024 the Command generated a total revenue of N14,754,044,196k which exceeds the Command’s monthly target of N11.9b.

In February 2024, the Command collected a total of N14,243,259,448 which is also higher than the projected monthly collection.

“The expected target for the months of January and February 2024 is N23,965,232, 280.32k only while the generated revenue for January and February 2024 is N28,997,303,644

Yusuf

“In addition to the revenue generated, a lot of other anti-smuggling activities were also carried out that led to the interception 50 pieces of 9mm live ammunition which was discovered in a joint examination conducted by the Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while two suspects were arrested and detained pending further investigation.

“In the area of protecting wildlife and endangered species, One thousand one hundred and sixty four kilograms (1,164kg) of
Sea Cucumbers and Fifty Eight kilograms (58 Kg) of Donkey Genitals were
intercepted,” he stated.

Given the recent revenue exploits of the Command the CAC charged  officers and Men to remain resolute in other to justify the confidence reposed on the

Service by the Federal Government and also to meet the expectations of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR in the areas of maximum revenue collection, legitimate trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling.

Yusuf further reiterated that his office is open for dialogue and suggestions on ways
to improve Nigeria Customs Service delivery and achieve federal government
objectives.

He however applauded Officers and Men of the Command
and other sister agencies for their cooperation while describing Customs relationship
with them as excellent which is geared towards achieving government goals.