Babatunj Wusu –
- The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command’s import duty revenue for 2024 increased by 94%, reaching N144.2 billion.
- Seized contraband goods worth N3.32 billion included military equipment, illegal drugs, and wildlife products.
- Successful strategies involved improved cargo clearance, intelligence sharing, and interagency collaboration.
- Moving forward, the Command aims to enhance anti-smuggling efforts and adopt technology to further improve operations.
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a remarkable 94% increase in its import duties for 2024, generating a total of N144.2 billion from January to October. This represents a significant jump from the N74.28 billion collected during the same period in 2023.
In a press briefing, Comptroller Michael Awe, the Command’s Customs Area Controller, attributed this impressive growth to several key factors, including enhanced trade facilitation, improved stakeholder compliance, effective law enforcement, strategic resource deployment, interagency collaboration, and efficient cargo clearance. Additionally, intelligent risk management strategies played a crucial role in boosting revenue collection.
Key Achievements:
- The Command intercepted contraband goods worth N3.32 billion between July and October 2024. These items, imported from countries such as Canada and Turkey, violated various provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
- Seized goods included military equipment like drones and helmets, illicit drugs such as Canadian cannabis and Tramadol, as well as wildlife products, including pangolin scales and live turtles.
Comptroller Awe highlighted the ongoing efforts to curb smuggling and illegal trade, noting that the NCS had implemented several initiatives to enhance revenue collection, such as streamlined clearance procedures, improved cargo inspections, better intelligence sharing, and increased collaboration with security agencies.
Looking ahead, the Command plans to further strengthen anti-smuggling measures, improve trade facilitation, and leverage technology for more efficient operations. Comptroller Awe expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his continued support, as well as to the officers and stakeholders for their dedication and cooperation in achieving this milestone.
