*rakes N2billion as revenue between January and June, 2010

By Ifeyinwa Obi
CUSTOMS Area Controller  (CAC) of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Comptroller Usman Kankara Bello, has disclosed that his command recently foiled an attempt to kidnap two persons in Abuja, leading to the arrest of the suspected kidnappers in a bush along Abuja-Keffi Road.

Bello also disclosed that his command was able to generate an estimated sum of N2billion as revenue between January and June, 2010.
He disclosed this  adopted dduring his recent visit to the State Security Service (SSS) FCT Command. Explaining the activities of his command, the CAC informed his host of how it has been able to, since his assumption of duty.

According to Bello, government  needs revenue to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizenry. On his part, the SSS FCT Command boss had explained the operational system of his command in maintaining security in the FCT.

In a related development, Bello also paid similar visit to the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Abuja, Group Captain M. O. Olatunji. During the visit, the CAC expressed appreciation to Olatunji for several assistance the NAF Base has rendered to his command, including the use of the Air Force sporting and medical facilities by the Customs personnel.

Bello was equally appreciative of the intensive parade, drills and similar training exercises the NAF personnel regularly conducted for personnel of the FCT Customs Area Command.  He further explained the activities of his command in the spheres of revenue collection and suppression of smuggling. Responding, Olatunji also briefed the visiting CAC on the activities of the Air Force Base.

The Air Force chief stressed the need for greater synergy between the NAF and the NCS in the area of assisting the personnel of the respective organisations who travel regularly on official trips.

The CAC, Ships & Ports recalls, had earlier paid similar visits to the Military Airport Commandant, Group Captain H.U Mohammed; and the Regional Manager, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Chris Bature. FCT Customs Area Command Public Relations Officer Eke Chukwuma confirmed that CAC will continue his series of courtesy calls with visits to the FCT Commissioner of Police and Controllers of the FCT Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), respectively.