The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area 2 Command, Onne, has concluded 2024 with impressive achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and export facilitation. Speaking during a press briefing held on December 31, 2024, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, the Customs Area Controller, highlighted the Command’s remarkable progress throughout the year.

In a significant feat, the Command intercepted 12 containers of illicit medicines and other contraband items, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦20.3 billion. Among the seized items were over 1.7 million bottles of cough syrup containing codeine, 510,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, and more than 7.1 million tablets of Royal Apple Tramadol and Tramaking. Other seized items included 3,461 sanitary ware fittings, 840 chilly cutters, and 153 cartons of TVS rubber. These seizures underscore the Command’s dedication to protecting public health and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations.

The Command also recorded groundbreaking success in revenue generation, surpassing its 2024 target of ₦618 billion by collecting ₦634 billion, representing 103% of the target. This achievement marked a 98% increase compared to the ₦321 billion collected in 2023. Comptroller Babandede attributed this success to strategic stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, which enhanced the efficiency of operations.

The morale of officers at the Onne Command received a significant boost following a series of promotions and special recognitions. A total of 14 Deputy Comptrollers were promoted to Comptrollers, alongside other advancements across various ranks, including Assistant Comptrollers and Junior Officers. Additionally, eight officers received special promotions for their exceptional role in intercepting 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition earlier in the year. These promotions, Babandede noted, reflect the Command’s commitment to rewarding excellence and dedication.

In the area of exports, the Command facilitated the processing of 2.7 million metric tonnes of goods, including agro and mineral resources such as sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, and granular urea. The total Free on Board (FOB) value of these exports was $952.9 million, equivalent to ₦1.26 trillion. These efforts highlight the Command’s role in promoting Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and driving economic diversification.

The Command also made significant strides in anti-smuggling operations, seizing 76 containers of uncustomed goods, including arms, ammunition, vegetable oil, used clothing, and donkey skin, with a DPV of ₦150.9 billion. These achievements, Babandede said, reflect the Command’s unrelenting commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing harmful goods from entering the country.

Comptroller Babandede expressed gratitude to stakeholders and the media for their continued support and collaboration, which he said had been instrumental in the Command’s successes. Looking ahead to 2025, he assured the public of the Command’s readiness to build on its achievements and contribute more significantly to Nigeria’s economic and security goals.

“We look forward to a more result-oriented 2025,” Babandede said, concluding the briefing with warm wishes for a Happy New Year and a commitment to achieving even greater milestones in the year ahead.