By Sidi A. Umar
Sokoto
Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Area Command says it collected about N 2.1 billion as revenue in 2016.
This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s spokesman, Malam Musa Adamu.
The statement said that, the revenue collection of the year under review represented a 122.13 per cent of the year’s annual revenue target.
”This represents a surplus of N 379.5 million above the annual target given by the service headquarters.
”However, N 1.3 billion was collected in 2015, which shows an increase of N 803.1million or 62.19 per cent over what was collected in 2015.”
The statement further stated that, the 2016 revenue profile presented a significant milestone in the history of the command being the first time such amount was collected.
”This height could not have been attained without the enabling peaceful environment in our states of operation.
”It was also due to the cooperation of the trading public and other stakeholders, including customs licensed agents, as well as other security outfits, particularly the Military and the Police, ”it added.
The statement said that, the command had in 2016 made 161 seizures of various items, including 6000 bags of foreign rice, 5200 containers of vegetable oil and 1150 bails of second had clothes, with duty paid value of N 200milion, among others.
In the same vein, twenty suspects arrested in connection with the seizures were granted bail, while investigations was ongoing, with a view to prosecute them.
The statement added:” The controller further wish to use this medium to reiterate the ban on the importation of foreign rice and vehicles through land borders.
”He has also called on legitimate importers to comply with the federal government’s fiscal policies.
”They should explore other legitimate alternatives and windows available for importation of the restricted items.
”He further warned smugglers to desist from such illicit actions, because soonest, the law will catch up with them.”
