The Nigeria Customs Service (NIS), Sokoto, Zamfara Command generated N2.3 billion revenue in 2021.
Comptroller Abdulhameed Ma’aji, the Command’s Controller, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Sokoto.
According to him, the revenue generated surpasses revenue generated in previous years.
Ma’aji attributed the successes recorded in the period under review to the leadership provided by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) and the active management of the Service.
According to him, the achievements are also due to the resilience and commitment of the officers and men of the command who have been carrying out their duties in line with extant laws and regulations of the Service.
“The Command has recorded the first formal documented export value chain of Onions through the Illela Border on the Feb. 25, 2021 which has significantly enhanced Onions production in Sokoto and contributed to the foreign reserve of the country.
“In the area of anti-smuggling activities, the command has recorded 22 seizures of different kinds of contrabands with duty paid values of N188. 6 million and three suspects were arrested within the period,’’ Ma’aji said.
He commended the CGC for the provision of logistics including operational vehicles which had boosted the moral of our officers to enhance our fight against smuggling activities within our area of coverage.
He also appreciated the efforts and cooperation of other units of the Service like Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Customs Police Unit (CPU), Border Drill, Strike Force and Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ (FOU ‘B’) as well as other security agencies and stakeholders in the actualisation of these records.
The Controller solicited for more support and cooperation from the traditional leaders and border communities to enhance operations of the Service.
He also urged the general public to partner with the Service in the advocacy against the peril of smuggling to the nation economy.
Ma’aji warned economic saboteurs to desist from their illegal business as our officers were always vigilant to uncover any form of unlawful trade. (NAN)
