One-Month Revenue: NCS Seme Command Generates N743.7m, Makes Notable Seizures

One-Month Revenue: NCS Seme Command Generates N743.7m, Makes Notable Seizures

By prince Benson Davies

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has achieved a remarkable feat, generating N743.7 million in revenue within one month, while also making significant seizures, including 444 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, which have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Fostering on the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders in intelligence sharing to fight against smuggling activities , the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo PhD, deems it fit to synagise on strong relationship.

These engagements have facilitated improved revenue collection, national security and economic growth . He also restructured the command’s officers posting to enhance operational efficiency, ensure optimal performance, better vigilance and proactive border security operations to increase accountability in revenue collection and intensify anti-smuggling operations.
Dr. Oramalugo assumed office on the 11th of February 2025, and during his maiden press briefing on Thursday 13th of March 2025. In a month, the Command has generated a total revenue of Seven Hundred and Forty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty – Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty – Two Naira, Sixteen kobo ( 743,728,652: 16 k) only.

In trade facilitation, a total of over Twenty – Eight Thousand metric tons ( 28,395.293) equivalent to Eight Hundred and Six (806) trucks of export produce with a Free On Board (FOB) value of Seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty – Two Million, One Hundred and Seventy- Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira ( 7,852,172,249: 00k) only, which is equivalent to Four Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety – Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty -Seven Dollars, Seventy-Eight Cents (4,995,527,78 USD) only. While the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was Thirty -Nine Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty -One naira, Twenty – Five kobo (39,260,861:25k) only. In Anti-Smuggling Operations, Dr Oramalugo said that the command intercepted several prohibited items which includes; Four Hundred and Forty-Four (444) Parcels of Cannabis Sativa, One Hundred and Eighty -One (181) Packs of Tramadol, Six Hundred (600) Bottles of Codeine syrup (100ml each), Two Hundred and Forty (240) kegs (30 ltrs) each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Others are; Oneh Thousand Eight Hundred and Nine (1809) Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg) each, Seventeen (17) Sacks of used Shoes, Fifty -Six (56) Bales of used Clothes and Two Hundred and Three (203) Pieces of used tires. With a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Two Hundred and Sixty -Seven Million, Fifty -Four Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy- Two Naira (267,054,172:00k) only. While Five (5) vehicles were impounded as means of conveyance

These seizures, which contravene relevant sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 reaffirms our commitment to suppressing smuggling activities within the Seme border corridor “. After the showcase of the seized items to the media, and in line with the existing inter-agency collaboration with the approval of the CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR, Dr Ben thereby officially handed over the Cannabis Sativa to Commander Owen, the Commandant of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Seme Special Command.
The CAC said, “these achievements within this short period are the result of the unwavering support of the CGC and his Management Team, the dedication and professionalism of our officers and the robust inter-agency collaboration as well as stakeholders.

On strategies in moving forward, he said the command remains resolute in commitment to strengthening their engagement with other security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to enhance surveillance and patrol activities to eliminate smuggling activities as well as deploying advanced intelligence strategies to disrupt illicit trade networks.

In conclusion “let me use this opportunity to warn smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities will not be tolerated. Smuggling is an act of economic sabotage and the Seme Customs Area Command is fully prepared to track down and prosecute offenders”. He advised all individuals involved in smuggling to embrace legitimate trade so as to contribute to the national economic growth, rather than engagement in criminal activities that undermines our country’s economy. He expressed his sincere appreciation to the Controller General of Customs, B A Adeniyi MFR and the management team for the logistics provided and the opportunity to serve. Dr Ben Oramalugo said the achievements is as a result of teamwork and extends appreciation to the officers and men of the NCS, Seme for their operational efficiency and proactive in operations while other security and inter-agency partners for their collaboration as well as the media for their role in dissemination of their activities to the general public received accolades.