The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service said it has generated over N14 billion revenue as it has also confiscated smuggled items worth N1.9 billion in the first four months of 2022.

The Comptroller of the Command, Muhammad Umar, who made the disclosure during a press briefing in Kano on Tuesday, said the generated revenue almost doubled revenue generated in the first quarter of 2021.

Umar said: “From January to April 2022, the total revenue collected amount to N14, 016, 722, 483.81k compared to N9, 668, 650, 451.41k collected the same period last year. This represents an increase of 44.97% increase in revenue collected.”

He stated that officers of the command also confiscated items worth N1.9 billion from smugglers across their areas of operation within the period under review.

“About 1593 bags of parboiled foreign rice of 50kg each, foreign soap, spaghetti and second hand clothing are all in our list of seizures.

READ ALSO: Customs vows to sanction officer for assaulting Okowa’s aide

“Most recently is the seizure of seven cartoons of Tramadol of 225mg containing 34,940 sachest and 535 packs of Cikabrin 20geach,” Umar noted.

The Comptroller further revealed that the illicit drugs would be handed over to the national Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation, adding that the 275 wraps of seized compressed Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) have since been handed over to the anti-drug agency.

Umar noted that the command was waiting for approval from the national headquarters to destroy seized donkey skin from smugglers.

He, however, urged investors and businessmen in Kano-Jigawa axis to take advantage of Inland Containers, Maigatari Boarder, Kano Free Trade Zone, and the ongoing Dala Inland Dry to carryout their import and export business activities to boost the economy of the country.

The Comptroller equally assured the command’s commitment to working with stakeholders to provide enabling environment for business to thrive.

The Star