By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
NOT less than N2.329 billion has been generated as revenue in 2021 operations by the Sokoto/Zamfara States Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
However, records of the command has indicated that the revenue is the highest against previous years collections.
Giving highlights while reviewing operational activities of the command in 2021 as contained in a release by the PRO, ASCI Tahir Balarabe Yusuf, the Area Controller , Comptroller Abdulhameed Ma’aji described the break-through as unprecedented while attributing it to the responsive leadership capacity of the Comptroller General of the Customs service, Col. Hameed Ali (retired ) as well the commitment , resilience and active support of management, officers and men for exercising their duties in line with extant laws and regulations of the Service.
While explaining further, Ma’aji recalled that, the command had recorded the first formal documented export value chain of Onion through the Illela Border on the 25th of February, 2021 which has significantly enhanced Onion production in Sokoto and contributed to the foreign reserve of the country.
Accordingly, the Area Controller said within the year under review, the command recorded 22 seizures of assorted contrabands worth N188.58 million duty paid values in the course of its anti- smuggling operations.
” This led to the arrest of 3 suspects currently under administrative bail”, the release confirmed.
While appreciating the support the Comptroller General of the service for providing logistics to boost and enhance fight against smuggling also acknowledged the commitment of other units of the service within the command area of operations.
” I will also like to commend other security agencies and stakeholders in the actualization of these records of operations.”
The Area Controller further appealed for more support and cooperation from the Traditional leaders and border communities in the interest of the country otherwise will be difficult for the Nigeria Customs Service to discharge the duty alone.
