Area 1 Customs seeks EFCC’s support in tackling smuggling, upholding national security

…Hits over N17b revenue above 2024 monthly target

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) Area 1 Command Port Harcourt has reiterated the importance of his agency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to partner in the fight against smuggling and upholding national security.

The Area 1 Customs Command Controller, Comptroller Mustapha Hashim made the disclosure on Wednesday during a courtesy call on the Zonal Command of the Anti-Graft agency in Port Harcourt.
Hashim emphasized the critical role such partnerships play in national security as they are interwoven in fostering common national Interest and to ensure safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.

He further stated that the visit was to seek further cooperation with the EFCC in the areas of intelligence gathering and information sharing, noting that the efforts being put in place by the Customs Service to generate revenue suppress smuggling and facilitate international trade cannot be totally achieved if all security agencies in the Country do not work in synergy.

Speaking on the achievements recorded in the Command so far, Comptroller Hashim disclosed that despite the low influx of Container vessels and other technicalities involving freight differential, the Command was able to generate and collect the total sum of #17,065,088,490.16 thereby surpassing the mandated 2024 monthly revenue target of #15,361,810,843.47 with a surplus of #1.713,277,636.7.

In his reaction to the Customs Chief, the Zonal Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1 Ahmed Ghali posited that the act establishing the EFCC also empowered the agency to beem its searchlights on Smuggling activities in the Country, with special attention on money laundering. Therefore it was imperative for both agencies to work together to protect the Nation from unwholesome activities of Economic saboteurs.

He went further to congratulate the Customs Controller on his revenue drive and achievements made.

He assured him of his agency’s support and collaboration in any area of need.