The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted truckloads of beans totaling 400 bags with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N61.4 million.
Seme Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Timi Bomodi revealed this during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Command, marking his first press briefing for the year.
He said the items have been deposited at the government warehouse for safekeeping and eventual sale to the public.
Bomodi stated: “In light of our present economic realities and the reported massive food shortages nationwide, and in line with the directive to prevent illegal grain export, the Command seized a truckload of beans, totaling 400 bags with a DPV of N61,450,000.00, stockpiled in a warehouse at one of the exit corridors at the border.”
Highlighting the anti-smuggling activities from January to February 2024, Bomodi revealed that t 168 interventions resulting in the seizure of 2,193 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 81,930 liters of PMS, 9 vehicles, 1,425 general merchandise, 265 parcels of cannabis sativa, and other narcotics, 149 packages of codeine, and 2 locally manufactured guns, with a combined DPV of N365,888,696.00.
He added that 13 suspects were arrested, with six granted administrative bail, three handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), one to the Nigeria Police, while three remain in custody.
On revenue generation, Bomodi revealed that the Command’s yearly target of N7.875 billion, representing a 400 per cent increase from 2023.
He added that monthly collectible revenue is N656.258 million. January 2024 saw a collection of ₦643,038 million, and February, ₦517,950 million, totaling ₦1,160 billion, about 88 per cent of the expected revenue.
Regarding exports, the Command processed 184 declarations for 43 items weighing 65,185.96 MT, with an FOB of N13.057 billion.
Bomodi stressed that the total collected for NESS was N65.337 million, and N24.407 million as an export surcharge for previously imported goods.
He assured that the NCS remained committed to its responsibilities, adding that these challenging times demand a more formidable defense at the Seme/Krake Joint Border Post as criminals become more desperate and daring.