The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it seized two pistols hidden inside a container and other contraband worth N506bn in the last six months.

In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Usman, said the command recorded 16 seizures with a duty paid value of N1.4bn within the period.

He said the seizures made included prohibited drugs, used tyres, rice, vegetable oil, and sundry items.

“It is noteworthy that the command made a seizure of two pistols inside one group-age cargo. One suspect is arrested, and the matter is undergoing investigation,” the statement read in part.

It quoted the Area Controller, Auwal Mohammed, as saying that the revenue collection and seizures made were fallouts of increased compliance.

He urged officers to redouble their efforts in revenue collection, trade facilitating, and strict enforcement of anti-smuggling activities.

Mohammed said, “The command made a collection of N9.2bn on July 20, 2023. This feat is the highest daily collection it ever achieved in its existence since the port was established. Service has collected a total of N502bn from January 2023 till date and made 16 seizures worth a duty paid value of N1.4bn within the same period.”

He added that the command under his leadership had achieved an increased level of compliance by importers, exporters, and their agents through deliberate system profiling and manifest tracking.

“This has helped in treating traders in line with their previous transaction records, which is reassuring that compliance pays through time-saving and cost efficiency,” he added. (The PUNCH)

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