In a statement released on the Service’s official Twitter handle, Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, announced the seizure during a press briefing held on Tuesday. Bomodi emphasized that the seized beans, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N61,450,000.00, will be auctioned to the public.
The press briefing also provided an overview of the Seme Area Command’s anti-smuggling activities from January to February 2024. According to Bomodi, the command recorded a total of 168 interventions during this period, resulting in the seizure of various contraband items including foreign parboiled rice, petroleum, vehicles, general merchandise, illicit drugs, and locally manufactured guns. The combined value of the seized items amounted to N365,888,696.00.
Furthermore, Bomodi revealed that thirteen suspects were apprehended during the period, with six granted administrative bail. Additionally, three individuals were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), one to the Nigeria Police, while three remain in custody pending further investigation.
In terms of revenue generation, Bomodi disclosed the command’s ambitious yearly target of N7.875 billion, representing a 400 percent increase from the previous year. Despite facing challenges, the command collected ₦1,160 billion in revenue during January and February 2024, accounting for 88% of the expected revenue.
On the export front, the Seme Area Command processed 184 declarations for 43 items weighing 65,185.96 metric tons, with an FOB (Free on Board) value of N13.057 billion. Revenue collected for the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) amounted to N65.337 million, supplemented by N24.407 million as an export surcharge for previously imported goods.
Comptroller Bomodi reassured the public of the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to its responsibilities, particularly in light of the challenging times faced at the Seme/Krake Joint Border Post. He emphasized the need for a more formidable defense against increasingly desperate and daring criminals operating in the region.
The seizure of the truckload of beans underscores the NCS’s determination to crack down on smuggling activities and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s borders. By intercepting contraband items and apprehending suspects, the Seme Area Command is contributing to efforts to safeguard national security and promote economic prosperity.
