Seme Area Command Cracks Down on Illicit Activities, Intercepts Contraband Worth Millions
Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Comptroller Timi Bomodi, Area Controller of the Seme Area Command has detailed the commendable efforts of his officers in curbing illegal activities at the border from January 2024 to date.
Addressing the media today in a press briefing at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, he
Spoke on the country’s challenges with illegal grain movement amid food shortages,
Comptroller Bomodi highlighted the interception of N61.45 million bags of beans on the verge of being exported illegally at an exit point. Emphasizing the government’s commitment to prioritize citizens’ needs, he revealed plans to sell the seized goods at discounted prices to address the ongoing food crisis ones permissions are being granted from the headquarters.
“We need to ensure that what is being produced locally stays within the country before we export and new Customs act says grains can’t be moved out of the country and when it’s done there is a procedure which includes NXP, CCI among others and when that is not done, any attempt to do it illegally will face the wrath of the law,” he said.
Despite facing challenges posed by a decline in imports due to the high exchange rate, the Seme Customs Command has collected a substantial amount, totaling N1.16 billion in the first two months of 2024. This represents 88% of the revenue target for January and February.
Bomodi emphasized the ambitious revenue target set for the year, revealing that the Command aims to collect N7.875 billion, marking a significant increase from the previous year. He provided a breakdown of monthly collections, reporting N643,038,611.16 in January and N517,950,286.14 in February.
“This also translates to a monthly collectible revenue of N656.258 million. In January 2024, the Command collected ₦643,038 million while in February, we collected ₦517,950 million, making a total of ₦1,160 billion.
“This is about 88 per cent of the total expected revenue. The shortfall in expected collections can be attributed to the total aggregate decline in imports occasioned by the high exchange rate,” he said.
In addition to revenue collection, the Customs Command highlighted its efforts in processing export declarations, intervening in illegal activities, and making significant seizures.
Bomodi also mentioned that the command also intercepted 400×30 liters of PMS equivalent to 12,000 liters, with a DPV of N8,347,680.
An imminent auction of the intercepted items is expected, with proceeds contributing to the federal government’s coffers.
Bomodi disclosed the arrest of a suspect attempting to reclaim confiscated items by coming to bid for the said items.
Various smuggling techniques were exposed by officers of the command, including the use of underage individuals in school uniforms, as unsuspecting carriers of cannabis sativa.
The officials demonstrated resilience, adapting strategies to counteract evolving tactics employed by traffickers.
Comptroller Bomodi highlighted the interception of Cannabis Sativa, pharmaceuticals, and controlled items like expired veterinary products.
Concerns were raised over the potential harm posed by unregulated medications entering the country. The discovery of a network involved in the illicit importation of these items indicates ongoing investigations and a commitment to making more arrests.
The Command reported seizing foreign parboiled rice, vehicles, general merchandise, cannabis sativa, narcotics, codeine, and locally manufactured guns, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N365,888,696.
A total of thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures, and they have been handed over to relevant authorities for further action. six of them were granted administrative bail, while three were handed over to NDLEA for further agency action, One was handed over to the Nigerian Police, while three suspects are still in our custody.
“At this point, it is important to highlight the importance of the Joint Security Meetings held regularly here at the Joint Border Post. These meetings provide valuable intelligence and opportunities to cross-fertilize ideas about Border management.
“We note that collaboration holds the key to success in border management that’s why we’ve insisted on information sharing among sister agencies,” he stated.
The Seme Area Command remains vigilant in safeguarding the nation’s interests, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of those involved in illegal activities, with a promise of further impactful operations in the near future.
Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Comptroller Timi Bomodi, Area Controller of the Seme Area Command has detailed the commendable efforts of his officers in curbing illegal activities at the border from January 2024 to date.
Addressing the media today in a press briefing at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, he Spoke on the country’s challenges with illegal grain movement amid food shortages.
Comptroller Bomodi highlighted the interception of N61.45 million bags of beans on the verge of being exported illegally at an exit point. Emphasizing the government’s commitment to prioritize citizens’ needs, he revealed plans to sell the seized goods at discounted prices to address the ongoing food crisis ones permissions are being granted from the headquarters.
“We need to ensure that what is being produced locally stays within the country before we export and new Customs act says grains can’t be moved out of the country and when it’s done there is a procedure which includes NXP, CCI among others and when that is not done, any attempt to do it illegally will face the wrath of the law,” he said.
Despite facing challenges posed by a decline in imports due to the high exchange rate, the Seme Customs Command has collected a substantial amount, totaling N1.16 billion in the first two months of 2024. This represents 88% of the revenue target for January and February.
Bomodi emphasized the ambitious revenue target set for the year, revealing that the Command aims to collect N7.875 billion, marking a significant increase from the previous year. He provided a breakdown of monthly collections, reporting N643,038,611.16 in January and N517,950,286.14 in February.
“This also translates to a monthly collectible revenue of N656.258 million. In January 2024, the Command collected ₦643,038 million while in February, we collected ₦517,950 million, making a total of ₦1,160 billion.
“This is about 88 per cent of the total expected revenue. The shortfall in expected collections can be attributed to the total aggregate decline in imports occasioned by the high exchange rate,” he said.
In addition to revenue collection, the Customs Command highlighted its efforts in processing export declarations, intervening in illegal activities, and making significant seizures.
Bomodi also mentioned that the command also intercepted 400×30 liters of PMS equivalent to 12,000 liters, with a DPV of N8,347,680.
An imminent auction of the intercepted items is expected, with proceeds contributing to the federal government’s coffers.
Bomodi disclosed the arrest of a suspect attempting to reclaim confiscated items by coming to bid for the said items.
Various smuggling techniques were exposed by officers of the command, including the use of underage individuals in school uniforms, as unsuspecting carriers of cannabis sativa.
The officials demonstrated resilience, adapting strategies to counteract evolving tactics employed by traffickers.
Comptroller Bomodi highlighted the interception of Cannabis Sativa, pharmaceuticals, and controlled items like expired veterinary products.
Concerns were raised over the potential harm posed by unregulated medications entering the country. The discovery of a network involved in the illicit importation of these items indicates ongoing investigations and a commitment to making more arrests.
The Command reported seizing foreign parboiled rice, vehicles, general merchandise, cannabis sativa, narcotics, codeine, and locally manufactured guns, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N365,888,696.
A total of thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures, and they have been handed over to relevant authorities for further action. six of them were granted administrative bail, while three were handed over to NDLEA for further agency action, One was handed over to the Nigerian Police, while three suspects are still in our custody.
“At this point, it is important to highlight the importance of the Joint Security Meetings held regularly here at the Joint Border Post. These meetings provide valuable intelligence and opportunities to cross-fertilize ideas about Border management.
“We note that collaboration holds the key to success in border management that’s why we’ve insisted on information sharing among sister agencies,” he stated.
The Seme Area Command remains vigilant in safeguarding the nation’s interests, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of those involved in illegal activities, with a promise of further impactful operations in the near future.