Seme Customs facilitates N.143mmt export , intercepts 428 wild animals, rakes in N2.634bn revenue

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it facilitated 143, 468 Metric Tonnes of export produce, with FOB value of ₦35, 199, 971. 097.7 only equivalent to ($38, 461, 397.39), as well as wild animals, which include, 20 live parrots, two Honey badgers, Pelican birds, 404 live tortoises and others.

Addressing journalists at Seme, Customs Area Controller of Seme Kraken Joint Border Post, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, said the command’s anti-smuggling translated into 474 interception of various contraband items within the period under review.

The controller further stated that the command intercepted eight tanker loads of petroleum, 428 wild animals, 10 trailer Loads of rice, and other contraband and generated over N2.634 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2024.

On fight against smuggling, the Command also arrested a notorious smuggler in the area who would be made to face full wrath of the law over his numerous terror unleashed on the people while it also arrested another 18 suspects.

He went on the state, “These items include; PMS: 12,448 Jerrycans x 30 litres each which is equivalent to eight tanker loads, rice: 6,467 bags of 50kg, which is equivalent to 10 trailer loads, 15 used vehicles, 1, 251parcels of cannabis sativa. We note that there has been a marked increase in the illegal importation of Cannabis from Ghana and different methods have been used by criminals in their effort to beat our officers all of which have been neutralized.

“Others are wild animals, which include, 20 live parrots, two Honey badgers, Pelican birds, 404 live tortoises, 3, 023 items of general merchandise, 149 packages of Codeine, and 45 pieces of used tyers. All with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦840, 003 million only,” he said.
The Command he expressed has continued to sustain the tempo in the area of revenue generation, saying in the period under review, the command collected a total sum of N 2.634 billion and the amount surpasses that of 2023 for the same period by 272 per cent.

The 143, 468 metric tonnes of export produce, with an FOB value of ₦35.199 billion facilitated by the command he said is equivalent to $38.461 million.

According to him, the NESS value paid is ₦174. 518 million, adding that a total of 406 SGDs were utilised from January to May 26 2024 for export alone.

“In compliance with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs that Commands give periodic reports of their activities to members of the public, and in the spirit of open governance, we at Seme-Krake Joint Border Post are delighted to present the successes recorded thus far this year,” he said.

He revealed that the Command has also set up a complaint desk to address issues concerning the molestation of females on this corridor.

“We strongly frown at any act endangering the health and well-being of the vulnerable population of border stakeholders who go about their normal and legitimate businesses daily. Stringent action shall be taken against any officer of any agency found guilty of molestation of any females on this corridor.
“Lastly, we would like to appreciate the profound cooperation of other government agencies in ensuring the peace, safety and security of our borders. Special mention will be made of the effort of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Air Force and Navy who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us in this battle. Their unwavering support is crucial and we applaud their patriotic effort,” Comptroller Bomodi stated.