Apapa Customs Generates N1.02tn in Six Months, Says Comptroller

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, announced on Monday that it had generated N1.02 trillion in revenue between January and June 2024. Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Comptroller overseeing the command, disclosed this during a press briefing in Apapa, Lagos.

Olomu highlighted that this figure marked a significant 143 percent increase compared to the N421 billion collected during the same period in 2023, despite a notable decrease in trade volume.

“It is essential to note that stringent measures have been implemented to safeguard government revenue,” Olomu emphasized.

Upon assuming office, Olomu established a revenue recovery committee tasked with investigating potential revenue leaks, particularly in bonded terminals under the command.

“During this period, we intercepted 11 containers containing prohibited items,” Olomu reported. These included expired pharmaceuticals, unregistered pharmaceuticals, footwear, used clothing, armored cables, and frozen poultry products, valued at N424 million. This was in contrast to 42 seizures valued at N1.4 billion during the corresponding period in 2023.

Olomu specifically highlighted the discovery of six 40-foot containers labeled with numbers “TCKU 6928184, MRKU 4422733, MRSU 5550243, MNBU 3934925, MEDU 9107559, and MEDU 9752980,” which were found to contain 7,580 cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption.

“These imports contravene Schedule Three of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff, violating Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,” Olomu affirmed.

He underscored the severe consequences of counterfeit and unregistered pharmaceuticals on public

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health, asserting the Customs Service’s commitment to preventing such harmful imports.

“In light of this, I wish to caution smugglers, duty evaders, and other criminals against violating the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other relevant laws,” Olomu warned. “The Apapa command is resolute in thwarting illicit imports.”

Olomu reiterated that no cargo would leave the port without rigorous inspection via scanners. He pledged unwavering vigilance, emphasizing that the command would continue to make seizures, detentions, and arrests when necessary to safeguard the national economy and protect Nigerians from unsafe products.

“We maintain a non-intrusive inspection regime with deployed scanners for cargo examination, complemented by physical inspections as required,” Olomu affirmed.

He also highlighted reforms aimed at enhancing the management of transits from the mother port to bonded terminals to prevent smuggling activities.

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