NCS: New Comptroller Kano-Jigawa Command Announces Anti-Smuggling Strategies, N10bn 1st Quarter Revenue

NCS: New Comptroller Kano-Jigawa Command Announces Anti-Smuggling Strategies, N10bn 1st Quarter Revenue

The new Customs Comptroller Kano – Jigawa Area Command, Mohammed Abubakar Umar, has stated that the enforcement unit of the command has been reinvigorated to brace up for new anti-smuggling operations since he assumed duty.

Comptroller Umar who stated this while briefing Journalists in his maiden press briefing Thursday at the Area Command’s Bompai headquarters in Kano vowed to implement reforms that will improve revenue generation by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

According to him, upon his assumption of duty, the Command has so far generated over N10bn revenue in the first quarter of 2022 which surpasses the year 2021 by about N2.4bn.

“In addition, our activities at the free trade zone has improved. The command will continue to put in place necessary measures to improve on the collection so far with the support from other units of the service such as the CIU, CPU, FOU, Border Drill and Strike Force. We shall maintain the success through synergy, dialogue and community based awareness,” he stressed.

While taking newsmen round seized contraband goods, he disclosed that the command recently seized about 1,031 bags of foreign rice with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 29,822,000.00, 151 packs of Spaghetti with a 3,171,000.00 DPV, 91 Carton of Macaroni with a 1,638,000.00 DPV, 3712 Donkey Skin with a 416,382,278.00 DPV, and 1,237 Foreign Mayor Soap with a 16,108,000.00 DPV.

Other seized items are; 131 bales of second hand clothes with a 9,825,000.00 DPV, 3bags of Donkey Penis with a 2,084,000.00 DPV, among other items such as foreign matches, milky non diary powder, rubber shoes all put at a DPV of 498,662,498.00

“As you are all aware, Donkey is an endangered specie and their population is depleting due to the spate of mounting demands for donkey skins and there is the need to safeguard donkeys from extinction as Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),” Comptroller Umar said.

He expressed optimism that this moment marks a fresh beginning and opportunity for cordial working relationship between his Command and the media and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate legitimate trade and improve revenue generation.

While fielding question from Journalists, the Comptroller expressed strong passion about the activities of the Maigatari border and assured that his administration will do everything necessary to maximise its potentials.

He however denied knowledge of the illegitimate diversion of fuel to neighboring countries despite fuel scarcity but vows to clamp down on the activities.

He promised to forge strong alliance with sister security organization for smooth operation of services and provision of secure environment to facilitate trade and ensure business thrive in Kano.

Until his appointment, Umar held various leadership and command positions including Comptroller Discipline at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja, Customs Area Comptroller Western Marine Command (WMC), Customs Intelligence Unite (CIU) team leader Apapa, and Comptroller Plateau/Benue/ Nasarawa Area Command.

By PRNigeria