Customs Seized 3,555 Arms, Illicit Drugs, Others Worth Over N35bn In 2024
The Nigeria Customs Service has announced a total of 3,555 seizures recorded in 2024, with a duty-paid value of N35.29bn.
The Customs Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniti, revealed on Tuesday to journalists in Abuja that the seizures comprised arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, and other contraband items.
Adeniyi, while briefing the press on the performance of Service in the previous year, said that in 2024 seizures witnessed a 100.92 per cent compared to the DPV of N17.56bn in 2023.
The Customs Comptroller General noted the seizures of arms and ammunition, including 900 arms and 113,472 rounds of ammunition.
The customs also made 105 seizures, including narcotics and other illicit drugs across various formations.
Adeniyi: “The Service also intercepted unauthorized pharmaceutical products, with 40 seizures, including 175,676 pieces and 6,271 cartons of various medicaments valued at N3.04bn, protecting public health from potentially dangerous counterfeit drugs.
“The Service’s enforcement activities also revealed evolving patterns in environmental and wildlife crimes, with 76 seizures of animal/wildlife products valued at N5.93 bn.
“We also maintained vigilance over trade-sensitive goods, as evidenced by the seizure of 183,527 bags of rice.
“Additionally, significant seizures were made of other restricted items, including 3,785 bales of textiles valued at N945.9m, and various quantities of footwear, beverages, and other consumer goods, protecting local industries and supporting the government’s economic diversification agenda.
“The Service also recorded 397 seizures of vehicles valued at N5.64bn as we continue to enforce import regulations and protect
government revenue.”
Also, the launch of Operation Whirlwind by the Service resulted in the seizure of petroleum products totalling 1,716,656 litres from saboteurs diverting petroleum products intended for home use to neighbouring countries.
“Most significantly, our enforcement activities have yielded 55 arrests of suspects currently under investigation as we continue to dismantle the criminal networks behind these activities.
“This comprehensive approach to enforcement, aligned with both national security objectives
and international obligations position the NCS as a crucial actor in the nation’s security architecture as we continue to facilitate legitimate trade.”
Customs Seized 3,555 Arms, Illicit Drugs, Others Worth Over N35bn In 2024 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
