Comptroller Ojike Tells What Kebbi Customs Command Has Done In 2 Months

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, under the leadership of Comptroller Iheanacho Ojike, has rolled out the Command’s activities in the last two months (February and March), ranging from revenue generation to trade facilitation, anti-smuggling and subsequently the handing over of confiscated items to appropriate sister agencies.

During the maiden press briefing held on Friday, 19 April 2024, at the Area Command’s headquarters, Bernin Kebbi, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Iheanacho Ojike attributed the successes recorded since he took leadership on the immense use of intelligence and sensitisation of the host communities.

“Barely two months since I took over, the Command has intensified the fight against smuggling to curb its menace by engaging in intense patrols throughout the nooks and crannies of the Kebbi State.” He noted.

Within the period under review, the command’s operations so far have yielded positive results, leading to several seizures of items, which include: 212 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50Kg each and 28 bags of 25Kg each; 200 bales of used second-hand clothing (Jumbo size) and 50 bales of normal size; 10,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 39 lumps of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa); 78 rolls of Diclofenac Sodium; 300 wraps of diazepam tablets 5mg each; 57 packs of Sex enhancement drug (Black Diamond); 150 Expired Powdered Milk; 50 pieces of used tyres and 20 pieces of rims; 20 cartons of foreign spaghetti; 20 bags of foreign sugar and 10 jerrycans of vegetable oils.

As revealed by the CAC, the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is ₦126, 278, 959.60K. The PMS value is not included in the DPV because it is given in the revenue generation section as receipts from auction sales.

According to him, the revenue generation in Kebbi Command has stalled in recent times because of the border closure between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic. But just recently, as the federal government authorised the re-opening of the Kamba border – the only import/export outlet for the state, the Command has generated a sum of ₦7, 215, 500 in the last two months, which is a 125% increase as compared to the two previous months.

Subsequently, he stated that the Indian Hemp seized will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). At the same time, Diazapem tablets will be given to National Agency For Food & Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC).

The Customs Area Controller appreciated the stakeholders’ support while appreciating the efforts of the Officers and Men alongside other sister agencies.

“We have been engaging stakeholders on the need for legitimate trade. We also meet with traditional rulers and their subjects to further enlighten them on the dangers of smuggling through border communities. We also collaborate with relevant sister agencies to enhance our operations in terms of security and intelligence to improve legitimate cross-border trade with our neighbours.

“This remarkable achievement resulted from resilience and courageous effort of our Operations teams, Intelligence Unit, Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) and collaboration with sister agencies,” he applauded.