The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Compt. Ben Oramalugo has generated over N3.57 billion in revenue between January and May and facilitated export consignments of 220,300 metric tonnes, valued at N47 billion Free on Board (FOB).
The CAC, who lamented over non-functional scanning machines, said the command experienced over seven years of power outage and poor road infrastructure and border porosity, which was disclosed when the zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General, Charles Orbih, visited the Seme Area Command, located at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake.
According to Compt. Oramalugo, the command seized contraband worth N889 million, which consists of expired pharmaceuticals, marijuana and corrosive mercury.
He said, “Your presence today is a testament to your commitment to strengthen the operations of the Zone, ensuring that the Commands and Units deliver their mandates as enshrined in the extant laws.”
He presented a detailed overview of the Command’s mandates and achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, trade facilitation and border security.
“Between January and May 2025, the Command generated over N3.57 billion in revenue and facilitated export consignments of 220,300 metric tonnes, valued at N47 billion Free on Board (FOB). He also highlighted anti-smuggling efforts that resulted in seizures worth N889 million, including the interception of expired pharmaceuticals, marijuana and corrosive mercury, which were handed over to the relevant security agencies for further investigation.
“The several challenges facing the Command are year-round power outage, poor road infrastructure, non-functional scanning equipment, and border porosity. We have embarked on advocacy for infrastructure upgrades, deployment of modern surveillance tools, and deeper collaboration with sister security agencies and local communities to address these concerns.”
In his remarks, ACG Orbih lauded the leadership of the Seme Area Command for initiatives such as the renovation of the COWA building, upgrading of the sports complex, and the recent commissioning of the officers’ mess.
He described these projects as symbolic of the Command’s alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who has anchored the Service’s transformation agenda on Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation.
(6) ACG Orbih highlighted the Zone’s impressive contributions to national revenue, noting that the Zone accounted for 79.8% of the NCS’s N1.3 trillion revenue collection in the first quarter of 2025.
He also reaffirmed the Service’s modernisation journey through initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, and B’Odogwu platform, the indigenous Customs Clearance system.
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