The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport has intercepted a series of contraband goods, including 250 live turtles, military equipment, and other illicit items, collectively valued at N3.32 billion.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Michael Awe, announced the seizure while addressing the press on Wednesday. He revealed that the contrabands, which were imported from countries such as Canada and Turkey, were intercepted between July and October 2024.

Details of the Seized Contrabands

The contraband items include:

• 23 walkie-talkies
• 175 military helmets
• 50 drones
• 10 packs of cannabis sativa
• 250 live turtles
• Seven packages of tramadol hydrochloride (200mg & 225mg)
• 1.5kg of pangolin scales
• 0.2kg of porcupine pins

These goods were found to contravene the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCS Act, 2023), which regulates the importation of goods into Nigeria.

Revenue Generation and Performance

In addition to the contraband seizures, Awe reported a significant improvement in revenue generation by the command. Between January and October 2024, the command collected N144.2 billion, representing a 94% increase compared to N74 billion during the same period in 2023.

The revenue growth is attributed to:

• Enhanced trade facilitation
• Improved stakeholder compliance
• Efficient law enforcement and resource deployment
• Effective cargo clearance and intelligence-driven risk management

Future Plans and Initiatives

The CAC highlighted several initiatives that contributed to the command’s success, including:

• Streamlined clearance procedures
• Improved cargo inspection and examination
• Stronger collaboration with security agencies
• Enhanced intelligence gathering and sharing

Moving forward, the command plans to:

• Strengthen anti-smuggling efforts
• Boost stakeholder engagement
• Utilize technology for more efficient operations

The interception of these contraband items and the significant revenue increase mark a continued effort by the NCS to combat illicit trade and ensure a more secure and efficient customs operation in Nigeria.