Apapa Customs Rakes In Over N1 Trillion, Warns Smugglers, Hard Drug Traffickers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Services, NCS, has declared a half year revenue generation of over one trillion Naira for 2024.

This is even as it acknowledged a sharp drop in the level of Cargo importation at the Port within the period under review.

However, the unprecedented revenue generation feat was made possible by the plunging of leakages and striking of synergy with sister security agencies and other stakeholders in the ports operation.

Babatunde Olomu, Comptroller of the Command, who disclosed this at a media briefing on Monday, July 8 2024, also informed that a considerable amount of seizures were made within the same period.

According to him, about eleven containers laden with contrabands, expired and unregistered products such as frozen foods, Pharmaceuticals, footwears, used clothings ,armored cables and others were intercepted between January and June 2024.

The seized items  with a duty paid value of over N424 billion is more than the value of 42 seizures made during the corresponding period in 2023.

Comptroller Olomu noted that the successes recorded were as a result of some  robust measures put in place to minimize losses,as well as fast track cargo clearance.

‘Upon taking over as the Area Comptroller of Apapa Port Command, I set up a revenue recovery Committee comprising seasoned and dedicated officers with the mandate to carry out more detailed look into areas of leakages, especially in bonded terminals under Apapa Command”, Olomu stated.

He emphasised that part of what has assisted the command is also its  aggressive pursuit of trade facilitation policies which are encompassed in a blend of intelligence with community relations.

“I have a team of dedicated officers charged with the responsibility of addressing all complaints or disputes within record time before escalation to my office for prompt action.

I don’t run open policy because for me, there is literally no door at all if you want to access my office. My office is open to everyone to discuss anything that will facilitate legitimate trade and promote Government interests at all times including receiving information on suspected smuggling activities.” he noted .

Olomu announced that in line with the Comptroller General  directives on zero tolerance for smuggling, he has reformed the Command’s  ways of treating cargo clearance by ensuring more meticulous management from mother port to bonded terminals.

“This has become necessary to prevent a situation where smugglers attempt to perpetrate illegalities in bonded terminals.

“To sustain this tempo, no cargo is allowed to ext from our control without thorough inspection using the scanner .we will not compromise on this as we will keep making seizures ,effecting arrests and detentions where necessary to protect the national economy and prevent Nigerians from exposure to dangerous and unwholesome products.

“The Apapa Port Area Comptroller paid tribute to other security agencies and stakeholders like the Nigeria Police, DSS ,NDLEA, NAFDAC ,SON,NIS NAQS,Army ,Navy and others for their unflinching support and cooperation .

“We make progress together and will continue to collaborate in the national interest”, Olomu stated.