Apapa Customs rakes in N213bn in three months

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it has earned N213bn in revenue from January to March 2023.

The Customs Area Controller, Auwal Mohammed, shared this information while addressing journalists at the command on Tuesday.

Mohammed also revealed that the service had intercepted 144 million tablets of tramadol worth N22bn en route to Nigeria from India in March. The tablets, which were 225mg each and weighed 10.3 tonnes, were concealed in two 40-foot containers. Mohammed emphasized the importance of preventing this type of illegal importation to safeguard the health of the citizenry.

In addition to intercepting illegal shipments, the Apapa Customs Command has also processed agricultural products like sesame seeds, ginger, hibiscus, mineral resources, and steel ignot for export. The exported products had a total tonnage of 110,448 metric tons in the first quarter of 2023 and were worth N70bn or the equivalent of a free on board value of $159m.

However, the command has also seized 14 containers containing prohibited items such as vegetable oil, footwear, used clothing, unprocessed wood, and tramadol with a duty paid value of N22bn. The command has begun a manhunt for those behind these unlawful importations, and Mohammed expressed his determination to track them down and bring them to justice.

Since becoming the Apapa Customs boss in January, Mohammed has prioritized inter-agency collaboration with other government organizations. He has enjoyed robust sharing of credible intelligence and support from other agencies of government, including importers, exporters, licensed agents, and freight forwarders.

The work of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service is critical for ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are secure and that illegal shipments do not enter the country. The recent seizure of tramadol underscores the importance of this work, as the drug can be highly addictive and harmful to those who use it. The command’s success in processing agricultural products for export also highlights the potential for Nigeria’s economy to grow through international trade.