Customs

Seme Customs intercepts 705 contraband items with DPV N409.8m

Oladimeji Ige

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Border Area Command, Wednesday, said it had intercepted contraband with duty paid value of N409, 851,533 since the reopening of the border.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Bello Jibo, disclosed this at a news conference at ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake.

He said that the banned substances, smuggled into Nigeria through the border, included 232 wraps of cannabis sativa, 98 used vehicles, 5,568 bags of rice and two sacks of condom.

Jibo said that the contraband were smuggled in within the period from Dec.17th, when the Federal Government announced the reopening of four land borders to date.

He said that officers of the command had taken full advantage of renewed strategies to intensify the fight against smuggling.

“This has led to remarkable interception of 705 items, the duty paid value of the seized items is N409, 851,533 only.

“The breakdown of the seized items is, 5,568 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 3,208 Jerry cans of petrol, 98 used vehicles, 294 cartons of frozen poultry products and 232 parcels of cannabis sativa.

“Others are 798 cartons of tomato paste, three cartons of sugar, six cartons of slippers, 305 pairs of used shoes, 30 cartons of Nescafe, and 19 cartons of non-alcoholic wine.

“We also seized 10 cartons of cigarettes, 12 cartons of herbal soap and two sacks of condoms,” he said.

The Comptroller said that the achievement was an indication that men and officers of the command are not losing its guard in detecting and stemming the tide of nefarious activities perpetrated by daredevil smugglers.

He said that with the reopening of land borders, the command had harnessed all revenue components in line with the new operational guidelines.

The controllers disclosed that the command had recorded trade volume of 348,827,775 metric tons of exported goods with Free on Board (FOB) value of N4, 277,047,153 only.

According to Jibo, the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme value stood at N21, 384,443.

“The overall revenue remitted into the Federation accounts is N80, 774,807 during the period under review, while the grand total for both seizure and revenue is N490, 626,431 only,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Controller handed over the 232 parcels of cannabis sativa to the officials of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Seme.

Shortly before handing over the cannabis, Jibo said it was intercepted along the beach area of the border.

He disclosed that the smugglers were using speed boats to convey the drugs into the country through the waterways when they were intercepted.

Jibo said the command would ensure that they get rid of drugs coming illegally into the country.

Commenting shortly after the handover of the cannabis, Mr Essein Udotong, the Commander, NDLEA, Seme Command, said the country would overcome its security challenges if security operatives cooperate with one another.

He hailed the operatives of the Seme Customs Area command for intercepting the substance.

The commander said the drugs had the ability to cause much damage to smokers if not seized.

Udotong said that the agency would carry out further investigation to find out those involved in smuggling cannabis into the country.

“The cannabis has been handed over to us and we will look for the owners; the present NDLEA has what it takes to arrest the people behind the illicit drug,” he said.

Customs

Customs, WCO train officers in technology- driven border security

Funso OLOJO

In a bid to strengthen border security through innovative data-driven approaches, the World Customs Organization – Organisation Mondiale des Douanes (WCO), in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), concluded a five-day workshop on Friday, 6 December 2024, tagged “n-Ceen.”

The training, held at the Project Management Office of Trade Modernisation Project Office situated in the Service’s Management Quarters in Abuja, was aimed at equipping officers with skills in data gathering and analysis to enhance national security and enforcement operations.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, DCG Kikelomo Adeola, highlighted the strategic importance of the training in achieving the Service’s objectives.

According to her, “This training, organised in collaboration with the WCO, underscores the Comptroller-General of Customs’ commitment to secure our nation’s borders.

” No man is an island; we cannot achieve this in isolation. Collaboration, particularly with skilled personnel, is essential.”

DCG Adeola explained that the workshop provided officers with cutting-edge tools to protect lives and properties and also to proactively deploy interventions where most needed.

She also stated that the training will reduce risks, including mob actions against customs personnel.

The training was meticulously planned, with participants selected from various zones and units, including enforcement, intelligence, ICT, and investigations, to ensure continuity and the dissemination of expertise.

Jean Bigirimana, a WCO facilitator from Burundi, praised the NCS for embracing technology as a critical component of border security, explaining that, “the n-Ceen tool is designed to assist member countries in gathering intelligence and making informed decisions.”

“The n-Ceen application enables Customs administrations to collect and harmonise data, which can then be used to target high-risk cases effectively.

” During this workshop, we trained participants on the features and functionalities of n-Ceen, empowering them to apply this knowledge in their respective domains.” Bigirimana said.

Customs

From Cabin to the Cockpit

— the inspiring transformational story of DSC Balogun, the first female pilot in Nigeria Customs

Funso OLOJO

The remarkable transformation of Deputy Superintendent of Customs (Pilot) Olanike Nafisat Balogun from being a crew member to becoming a full fledged pilot in the air wing of the Nigeria Customs Service is an inspiring one.

DSC Balogun is a study in doggedness, determination, perseverance, resilience and commitment.

Balogun has thus make history as the first female pilot in the Nigeria Customs Service.

Born in Kaduna and a native of Odo-Otin Local Government Area, Osun State, Balogun’s journey began in 2002 when she was recruited as a Customs Assistant to serve as a cabin crew member in the Service’s Airwing Unit.

Speaking in a recent interview, DSC Balogun reflected on her journey, sharing how her unwavering ambition and the Service’s support enabled her transformation from a flight attendant to a licensed pilot.

“Staying in the Service when many of my colleagues opted for better-paying airline jobs was a tough decision, but I was determined to contribute to public service and achieve my dream of becoming a pilot,” she said.

Balogun’s career milestones include earning an Advanced Diploma in Air Ticketing and Cabin Services, a Master’s in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, and eventually securing her Pilot Certification from the Flying Academy in Miami, Florida, with the NCS sponsoring her training.

DSC Balogun asserted that being the first female pilot in the NCS Air wing is credited to inspiring women within and beyond the Service never to relent in pursuing their dreams.

“My role as the first female pilot in the service reflects my commitment as a woman to advancing my passionate dream as well as the operational capabilities of the NCS” she added.

As she continues to fly for the NCS, Balogun remains passionate about inspiring others, stating, “I hope my journey motivates young Nigerians, especially women, to chase their dreams and break through barriers.”

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in a statement commended her dedication and described her achievement as a testament to the Service’s commitment to capacity building and innovation.

“Her story exemplifies what is possible with determination and institutional support,” Adeniyi said.

Customs

B’Odogwu, home-made customs trading platform, gains momentum at PTML

–— as more banks embrace local ICT platform

— PTML customs reaps revenue windfall

Funso OLOJO

B’Odogwu, an indigenous customs trading platform currently being test run at the Ports Terminal Multi services Limited(PTML) command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has gained a momentum in the command as more operators are embracing the new trading platform.

Already,17 banks have indicated their interests to sign on the platform to join the existing five banks currently hooked up to the trading platform.

In addition, the PTML Customs command has started to reap revenue windfall triggered by the new trading platform as it generated N44.9 billion in November, the highest monthly revenue ever generated in the history of the command.

An elated Area controller of the command, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, said B’Odogwu trading platform has come to stay in the Command.

As a pilot command for the operation of the indigenous platform, Comptroller Daniyan advised stakeholders to embrace and rally round the new ICT platform as their own, adding that the command has parted ways with the old Customs platform NICIS11.

The Area Controller also debunked information alleging that four vessels have been unattended to at the PTML berth due to B’Odogwu failure is untrue.

He disclosed that the command met with some of the stakeholders earlier in the week where all issues bordering on the challenges experienced by agents were addressed and they were advised to engage the implementation team for further assistance

He added that to facilitate trade, the command has bent backwards by applying manual methods to process cargoes and has established interface with the terminal operator to accommodate port users that have made entries on the platform.

The Controller said most agents claiming inability to capture have not registered on the platform and urged them to come forward for capture to address any challenge.

The CAC said “B’Odogwu is a Nigerian baby that should be fed by Nigerians .

” We are weaning our baby from a foreign mother and I urge all Nigerians to support it.

“We are not going back to NICIS II. The use of NICIS II platform has come to an end in PTML as this is the position of the Service.

” We are aware that some of our agents are yet to be fully acquainted with the additional requirements that were not involved in NICIS II.

“As the problems come up, we are solving them.

“Note that the management has dispatched an implementation team here to ensure our stakeholders don’t suffer.

” We were disconnected from NICIS II three months ago and we have fully commenced implementation to grow our own teeth and serve the country better. We have left NICIS here in PTML.

“We are committed to get it right here before moving to Tin Can and other ports.

“Our turn around time for properly declared RoRo cargo is still two hours but this is dependent on compliance by the declarant.

“As a command, we will not sacrifice national security and revenue on the altar of trade facilitation.

” So far in November,292 bills of laden have been captured in November, 375 are yet to capture.

“As at today, Wednesday over 98 people have paid their duties under B’Odogwu platform as more banks are coming on board” he said