…Generates N30.5bn in 2023
By Chinelo Obogo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command has revealed that it recently intercepted combat drones, military hardware, counterfeit dollars and other contraband goods.
Speaking to reporters on Friday at the MMIA office on its activities in 2023, the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Charles Orbih, also disclosed that the command generated N30.5billion from January to December 2023, surpassing its target revenue by five per cent.
“A comparative analysis of the revenue collected for the corresponding year 2022 of N20.89billion which revealed a 46% increase in total revenue collection with a difference of N9.6billion. Since my assumption of office in the Command, it is worthy to note that the Command has consecutively surpassed its monthly target from the month of September to December 2023 as represented in the total revenue collected within the period under review,” he said.
Speaking of the goods that were seized, he said the combat ready drone had first aid box space, space for weapons and can use 70 hours in the sky. He also said that 154 additional drones were either seized or detained by the command.
He further explained that the drones lacked End User Certificate (EUC) from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and they are above the specification allowed by law into the country.
“The country allowed drone of 250 grams but, this combat drone is about 5,000 grams. It can fly for over 70 hours and has space for weapon handling. This can be used as a weapon of war and it lacks the EUC from the National Security Adviser (NSA).
“According to Section 245 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 which empowers a Customs Officer to seize and detain prohibited goods, the Command also made 125 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N801.56million for the year 2023.
“The items intercepted include 89 seized drones; 66 drones detained; 330 military and other security wares; 700 rolls of cigarettes each containing 10 packs;126 walkie talkies and their accessories; 87 pieces of artifacts and antiquities; 22 pieces of elephant tusks; $10,000 counterfeit notes which have been handed over to Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and $8,800 concealed in an album,” he said.