The Kano Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, generated a total of N9.7 billion in February as revenue from Duty Paid Value, DPV, on imports and excise.
Customs Area Comptroller in charge of Kano and Jigawa States, Dauda Chana, revealed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Monday.
He equally said the command had put in place measures to prevent revenue leakages through border posts in the area by reinforcing security and surveillance to curtail the smuggling of contraband.
Chana said the command would sustain 100 percent physical examination of goods entering through its borders to prevent the entry of contraband and offensive goods, including arms and ammunition.
According to him, the area command had issued an effective operational order to its field officers at the border posts on how to tackle the menace of smuggling.
”We will continue to enhance trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security in line with the directives of the management of the NCS.
”We are also partnering with traditional rulers in border communities to assist our personnel with reliable information on the movement of smugglers”, he said.
Chana said that personnel of the command have also been positioned at strategic locations to intercept smugglers who evade arrest at entry points.
”We have also deployed various strategies to enable us to get vital information that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of smugglers,” the comptroller said.
He said the aim was to encourage Nigerians, especially those living in border communities to offer intelligence reports that could aid the command in apprehending smugglers.
Chana expressed optimism that the involvement of border communities would greatly assist officers of the service in protecting the nation’s economy from the activities of saboteurs.
”The successful coordination and cooperation between our organisation and our esteemed partner agencies exemplify our shared dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all citizens.
”We remain resolute in our commitment to eradicating illegal activities that pose a threat to our society”, the comptroller said.