Customs Smashes Arms, Fake Drugs Syndicates

Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Apapa Lagos, has announced that it smashed illegal arms, fake drugs syndicates.
This is just as it announced that it collected total revenue of N237.265billion between January and October 2017.

This figure is higher than the N207.934billion revenue it collected in the corresponding period of 2016.
The Controller Tincan Island Port Comptroller Bashar Yusuf, stated that the Command has been repositioned for greater functionality.

He pointed out that the Command has developed operational templates which were “carefully articulated to encompass adherence to due diligence on the part of the stakeholders and entrenchment of professionalism and integrity on the psyche of the officers.”
Yusuf pointed out that the Command relies mostly on capacity building, training and re-training to extract reasonable level of professional integrity from the officers which ultimately led to the increase in revenue collection.

He said: “You will recall that the command alone has recorded three different seizures of catche of arms and recently seized two containers loaded with suspected controlled drugs (Tramadol) falsely declared as used vehicle and computer accessories.”

The controller stressed that the Command has undoubtedly diminished the capacity of such unpatriotic importers through several measures aimed at nipping such issues in the bud.
He declared that seizures were made through high profile intelligence using ICT as a major tool.

“Our new strategic focus has strengthened not only statutory responsibility of revenue generation but also safety of lives by decimating the tendency of unscrupulous importers who bring in unwholesome drugs, particularly Tramadol, which consumption would naturally have a consequential effect on our large population of youth.

He recalled: “Just recently our president was in Turkey with the Comptroller General of Customs alongside other top government functionaries on a diplomatic visit and the issue of arms were discussed after which a memorandum of understanding was signed with a view to ensuring that such illicit imports are curtailed.”
Speaking further, the Controller applauded the improved compliant of our stakeholders and urged them to maintain the path.

On his plans for the ember months, the Controller re-assured that no stone would be left unturned in the efforts to ensure a sustained increase in Revenue Generation and facilitation of legitimate trade.
“It is instructive to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is putting measures in place to curb the influx of arms which is why the Service recently unveiled plans to introduce the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a platform that will enhance the streamlining of cargo clearance”.
He stated that AEO is a programme introduced by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to facilitate trade with security situation associated with the Import and Export businesses across international borders.