BY GODFREY BIVBERE

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has collected a total of N973,540,612.78 in the month of October 2014 which is the highest monthly revenue collected this year, even as it has stepped up anti-smuggling measures as Christmas celebrations approaches.

The command also made 24 seizures with Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N32,019,613 comprising of rice, frozen poultry products and other general goods.

Customs Area Controller, CAC in charge of the command, Comptroller Willy Egbudin, said the high revenue collection was possible because of increased compliance by stakeholders and non compromise by Customs officers, even as he promised to continue making the border unattractive to smugglers and other perpetrators of trans-border illegalities.

A statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ernest Olottah, noted that Egbudin reiterated the customs resolve to maximally collect all revenue due to the government through Customs duty with continuous improvement in the blockage of all identifiable sources of revenue leakages.

The Seme command Customs boss noted that they have commenced intensified patrols ahead of the yuletide season when smuggling activities are expected to peak, He said the smugglers who changed route to other areas like Shaki in Oyo State and Idiroko in Ogun State are not finding it easy as the Customs operatives there are seizing their wares and crushing their unlawful investments.

According to the Seme Customs helmsman, “in carrying out the directives of our Controller General, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, I have constantly sensitised and reminded our officers and men to maintain the zero tolerance for smuggling. On this, there is no going back. We are sending a strong warning to smugglers that daring us means a venture into big regrets.