The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has surpassed its revenue target for 2023 by N122million as the Command generated the sum of N2,088,578,048.03k in less than 9 months, as against its N1,966,000,000 target.
The outgoing Area Controller,  Comptroller Dera Nnadi, disclosed this on Monday while handing over the mantle of leadership of the Command to Comptoller Timi Bomodi.
According to him, “As at Friday the 15th of September, 2023, the Command has collected N2,088,578,048.03 only. The implication is that we have surpassed our N1,966,000,000 allotted target for the year 2023 by N122,578,048.03 only, which represent 6.23% increase.
“In the corresponding period under review for year 2022, the revenue was N885,543,098.11 only”, Nnadi said.
On anti-smuggling operations, he observed that there were headline seizures such as: fake $6million US dollars, equivalent to N2.7billion; 9500 units of 50kg bags of rice, equivalent to 16 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value of N312,242,064.93k; 15,094 x 30 liters Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, equivalent to 455,850 liters or 15 petroleum tankers with a Duty Paid Value of N738,276,461k; 15,389 units of General Merchandise Goods.
“Hard Drugs and Narcotics seizures included: 594 parcels of Cannabis Sativa; 4,900 Tablets 225mg of Tramadol Tamol-X; 3,600 Tablets 225mg Tramadol Royal 225; 157 Tablets of Heineken Ecstacy; and 864 Packs of Cigarette.
Controller Dera thanked his leadership team, Command officers, host community and other stakeholders for the robust collaborations which led to the notable accomplishments at the border, and solicited the same support for his successor.
On his part, the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, said he would run an all-inclusive administration and be open to views and contributions from all stakeholders.
Bomodi stressed that facilitation of legitimate trade will be the Command’s thrust under his leadership, adding that this will naturally enhance revenue generation and curb smuggling.
“The border community dwellers are critical stakeholders, from the Obas, Chiefs, to the citizens, and we will ensure that the needs of everyone will be met”, the new Seme CAC assured.
Speaking on the multiplicity of checkpoints on the border route, Bomodi reiterated that Customs administration of Nigeria and Benin recently met to chart a roadmap to make trade facilitation with the issue of multiple checkpoints highlighted at the strategic meeting.
He explained that both countries have committed to attaining seamless operations by aligning fiscal policies and are contemplating creating windows for respective Customs operatives to extend their activities to each other’s ports and borders.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos