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......Seizes 17 containers of Illicit Trade worth over N2B 

The Nigeria Customs Service Area 11 command Onne Port Harcourt Rivers State, has given its revenue generation scorecard and anti-smuggling war from January to April  2026, putting the figures to a staggering  N258B, representing an unprecedented revenue collection in the history of the command and also seizing 17 Containers of Illicit Trade worth over N2B.

This disclosure was contained in a Press Release issued, signed and made available by the Command's Ag. Public Relation's officer,  PauI Istifanus Gimba, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 on Thursday May 14, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Highlighting the achievements, the Customs Area Controller, Port  Area 11 Command, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, said "Just last month, in April 2026, the Command recorded its highest monthly revenue collection since inception, generating over N77.3 billion."

"It is worthy of note that from January to April 2026, the Command generated a total revenue of Two Hundred and Fifty-Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira, Sixty-Six Kobo (N258,204,841,355.66)."

Continuing, the Onne Customs Boss, posited that the Revenue generated represented  an unprecedented revenue collection in the history of the Command insisting that  the remarkable achievement reflected  the unwavering commitment of the Command to revenue generation, trade facilitation, and the enforcement of extant government fiscal policies.

Comptroller Alkali also showcased the Command’s significant anti-smuggling achievements recorded over the past four months, noting that "in February 2026, vigilant officers of the Command intercepted an attempted smuggling of one 40-foot container declared to contain plumbing materials, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Hundred and Eighty-Five Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N185,220,000.00)."

He emphasized that upon examination, it was discovered that the perpetrators had concealed the original container number and replaced it with a fake one in an attempt to unlawfully remove the container from the port without payment of duty.

He equally added that in the same month, officers of the Command intercepted nine 40-foot containers laden with various items, including bales of fabrics, building and carpentry tools, cartons of LED lights, cartons of solar fans, and bales of garments, among others, with a DPV of One Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty-One Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand Naira (N1,251,368,000.00).

He maintained that the importers contravened Sections 231, 233, and 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, through alteration of marks and numbers, document falsification, and attempted smuggling insisting that consequently, the containers and their contents were detained and subsequently converted to seizures in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, he hinted that in April 2026, the Command intercepted six 20-foot containers carrying a total of 1,100 jerricans of Super Delicieux Vegetable Oil with a DPV of Four Hundred and Ninety-Four Million Naira (N494,000,000.00). 

The importation according to him contravened section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which prohibited the importation of refined vegetable oils and fats in order to protect and promote local industries, particularly domestic vegetable oil producers and agro-allied businesses.

Also intercepted was one 40-foot container concealing unregistered drugs comprising about 600 cartons of Hyergra, hidden among other items such as cartons of chilly cutters, ceiling fans, and food packs which the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items was estimated at One Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N139,348,800.00).

 According to the statement, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all the seized 17 containers was Two Billion, Sixty-Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira only (N2,069,936,800.00).

Sending a stern warning, the Comptroller reminded all mischievous importers and their agents that the Nigeria Customs  Service Onne,  remained unwavering in its resolve to combat smuggling and all forms of illegal trade practices at the Port even as he strongly encouraged all law-abiding traders to remain compliant and resist the temptation to engage in activities that contravene the law.

Comptroller Alkali also applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, for his exemplary leadership, strategic direction, and unwavering support, which he said has continued  to inspire achievements and strengthen discipline within the Service.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the officers and men of the Port Harcourt II Area Command, commending them for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication to duty, while noting that their commitment remained instrumental to the Command’s successes.

Concluding, he appreciated the members of the press for their continued partnership and commitment to disseminating accurate and reliable information about the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service to the public.

Credit: Bon Peters