Customs Generates N10bn, Seizes N35.4m Contraband In Kwara

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NIS) has generated N10, 027, 580,694.63 into the coffers of the Federal Government between January and May, 2024.

The Command in the period under review also made 21 seizures of different prohibited items with the total duty paid value of N35, 416,140,00.

The contraband and prohibited items seized by the Customs operatives included 507 bags of foreign rice, one unit of used vehicles, 1,055 pieces of used tyres,
164 Jerry cans of petrol of 25 liters each, totaling 4,100 liters.

The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Faith Ojeifo made these disclosures in Ilorin, the state capital on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Command in the last six months.

The event also featured the distribution of empowerment items to members of Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) and donation of relief materials to Kwara State Ministry of Social Development for further distribution to the vulnerable members of the society.

Ojeifo said, “I want inform you that from January-May, 2024 we collected and remitted a total sum of N10, 027, 580,694.63.

“A comparative review of the preceding year 2023 indicates that the command surpassed what was collected same period last year with N2, 885,779,644.03 which represents 40.41% increment.

“Within the period under review, I rejig my operation teams which had led to 21 seizures of different prohibited items. These include 507 bags of foreign rice, one unit of used vehicles, 1,055 pieces of used tyres, 164 jerry cans of PMS of 25 liters each (4,100 liters). The total duty paid value is N35, 416, 140, 00.”

The Area Commander said the donation of relief materials to the Ministry of Social Development was a symbol of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s shared commitment to caring for those in need.

On the empowerment of members of COWA, Ojeifo said, “We recognise that women are the pillars of our families, our communities, and our economies. They are the ones who nurture, educate, and inspire future generations. They take care of our children and home front while we are far away from home doing our jobs of protecting the nation’s border from offensive goods like arms and ammunitions, drugs and other illicit goods.

“The aim of the empowerment is to keep you busy, self-dependent and productive while we are far away from home which will no doubt reduce the burden of always waiting on your husbands.

“After months of extensive training of registered wives and widows of Customs officers in different empowerment training programmes such as baking, cosmetics, sewing, and other skill acquisition, today, under my leadership, we are empowering about 67 wives and widows of Customs officers with sewing machine, baking oven and make-up kits.”