Onne Customs Command’s End-of-Year Haul: 40ft of Illicit Medicine Seized

Onne Customs Command’s End-of-Year Haul: 40ft of Illicit Medicine Seized

By Our Correspondent

Comptroller Mohammed Babandede of the Onne Area 2 Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has seized 40 feet of illicit medicine valued at millions of naira as part of the Command’s efforts to combat smuggling and protect public health ¹. During his end-of-year briefing, Comptroller Babandede also wished journalists a happy new year in advance and appreciated their support and cooperation throughout the year.

I must acquaint you with all the successes we achieved throughout 2024 as today marks the last day of the year. Since our last engagement on the 11th of November 2024, I am pleased to inform you that the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne has recorded another remarkable achievement in our ongoing battle against smuggling and illicit trade. Our vigilant officers and men have successfully intercepted and seized an additional 12 containers (40 feet) of illicit medicine. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health, ensuring security of our nation and compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations. This also justifies our commitment to trade facilitation, transparency, and effective and efficient service delivery.

The breakdown is as follows:
a. 1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine
b. 510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac
c. 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal apple Tramadol and Tramaking
d. 3,461 pieces of Sanitary ware Fittings used for concealment
e. 840 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment
f. 153 cartons of TVS rubber

The Duty paid Value of the twelve containers is ₦20,309,890,800

This latest seizure underscores the passion and diligence of the officers and men of the Onne Command in ensuring that illicit drug and other harmful goods do not find their way into our country through our area of responsibility. Our efforts are geared toward securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of entry points into the country through the Onne, port axis.

We appreciate the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media, in amplifying our message and efforts to combat smuggling. Together, we can build a safer and healthier nation.

It is worth noting that the morale and dedication of our officers have been significantly bolstered by the Comptroller-General of Customs’ award, recognizing Area 2 Command as the best Command in anti-smuggling operations. This honor has further strengthened our resolve, and I assure you that we will not relent in performing our duties to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerians.

In the recently released 2024 promotion for General Duty/Support Staff for officers and men of the Service, the Area 2 Command got some officers promoted as well. A total of 14 Deputy Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Comptroller. A total of 6 Assistant Comptrollers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Comptrollers and 17 Chief Superintendent of Customs were elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptrollers. Other newly promoted officers include 22 to Chief Superintendent of Customs, 4 to Superintendent of Customs, 18 to Deputy Superintendent of Customs, 14 to Assistant Superintendent of One and 16 to Assistant Superintendent of Two. Junior Officers were also promoted as 9 got Inspector of Customs, 3 got Customs Assistant One and 3 got Customs Assistant Two

Let me use this opportunity to specially appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr, who in September this year promised to reward Officers and men of the Command for the role they played in the Interception of 844 units of riffles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition. In keeping to his promise a total of Eight (8) Officers of the Command were given special promotion.

Earlier in the year the Command was given a revenue target of 618 billion naira. I am glad to inform you that as at this morning the Command with the aid of stakeholder engagement, synergy, collaboration and intelligence sharing, has surpass the target given by generating a total revenue of 634 billion Naira which accounts for 103% of the annual target. This amount is over the 2023 collection by 321 billion Naira and represents 98% increase over the 2023 generated revenue.

In the area of anti-smuggling the Command made a total of 76 container seizures comprising of arms, ammunition, illicit medicine, vegetable oil, foot wares, donkey skin, used cloths among others uncustomed goods used as concealment with a duty paid value of ₦150,872,551,207

In export, the major commodities exported through this axis comprises of Agro and Mineral resources namely: sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, granular urea in bulk, wheat bran, orange peel among others and a total of 2,707,339.22 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $952,986,490.99 which is equivalent to ₦1,261,039,933,168.99 was processed through the Command this year.

These are just few of the results achieved with purposeful engagement of our stakeholders and partners this year we look forward to a more result oriented 2025.

Thank you, and once again, we wish you a Happy New Year in advance.