The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area 2 Command in Onne, Rivers State, has announced a record-breaking revenue of N643 billion for 2024, surpassing its annual target of N618 billion by N25 billion. This achievement represents 103% of the projected goal and shows the command’s dedication to efficient operations and revenue generation.
Area Controller Muhammed Babandede, speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, attributed the success to improved revenue strategies, heightened export activities, and reinforced anti-smuggling measures. The 2024 revenue also surpassed the 2023 figure by N321 billion, marking a historic achievement for the command.
Babandede detailed the confiscation of 76 containers with a duty-paid value exceeding N150 billion. Among the seized items were arms, ammunition, illicit medicines, vegetable oil, footwear, donkey skins, and used clothes.
Significant operations included the interception of one million bottles of cough syrup, 500,000 bottles of extra diclofenac, and illicit drugs concealed in sanitary wares. A recent seizure of 12 containers with a duty-paid value of over N20 million added to the year’s achievements.
These efforts earned the command recognition as the best-performing unit in anti-smuggling operations, an accolade Babandede credited to the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi.
The command also excelled in exports, generating over N1 billion from agro-commodities and solid minerals, including aluminium ingots, granular urea, orange peels, sesame seeds, and wheat bran. Babandede reiterated the command’s commitment to supporting legitimate trade and ensuring transparency.
