The Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that it generated a sum of N1.6 billion as revenue for October 2022 at the Muritala International Airport in Lagos.
According to a statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Destiny Tomo, the Lagos Airport command is ready for an efficient and swift clearance during the festival period.
The PRO added that the Nigeria Customs Service, MMIA Command, did not just record success in revenue collection, it also did not witness any smuggling activities within the period under review.
She reiterated that the command would continue to pursue its mandate, which was trade facilitation, collection of revenue and fighting of smuggling within its jurisdiction.
“As a matter of fact, we shall continue to pursue our given mandate of trade facilitation and collection of revenue as well as suppressing smuggling within our jurisdiction” she noted.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service revealed that it has prosecuted and sacked more than 2000 of its officers since 2015, Investors King learnt.
The Controller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), disclosed this to journalists during the 54th Session of the state House Ministerial Briefing at the Presidential Villa.
Hameed Ali explained that most of the dismissed personnel are rogue officers who have attempted to undermine the effort of the customs service.
He noted that some of the affected officers had engaged in unprofessional conduct while some of them have been caught in employment scams.
While advising the public to be careful of rogue officers in order not to be scammed, he pledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will continue to stamp out the bad eggs.
The CG added that the customs service has generated N2.14tn in 2022 from the projected N3.02tn in 2022.
He concluded that the service will continue to size contraband products especially imported rice and thereafter distribute it to the displaced people.
“Imported rice is being preserved with chemicals that have a short life span. Consequently, customs officers regularly seize such items from the markets to safeguard Nigerians. The seized bags of rice are thereafter distributed to IDP camps and the needy after certification by NAFDAC,” he said.
