The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service has generated N69.77 billion between January and December 2022.
The Command Area Controller, Comptroller Sambo Dangaladima said this in a press briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.
Comptroller Dangaladima said the N69.77 biillion revenue generated in 2022 was higher than the N55.67 billion generated in the year 2021 which shows an overwhelming increase of N14.1 billion representing 25.34%.
Comptroller Dangaladima stated that the 2022 yearly target was N66.9 billion but the Command surpassed the target with N2.83 billion representing 4.24% increase.
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Area Controller also announced the interception of hard drugs, Military and Police hardware at the cargo section of the domestic wing of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
The Customs boss said the drugs consist of 162 cartons of banned Tramadol hydrochloride 225 & 250mg, Military and Police hardware which were intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO).
According to him, the hard drugs which originated from India and Pakistan and routed through Addis-Ababa had an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N13.8 billion which include 92,387 packs, 929,970 sachets and 9,299,700 tablets.
Value of intercepted items
Speaking on the hard drugs, the Customs Controller explained that “these milligrams (225&250mg) are above allowable thresholds as contained in the extant laws. The hard drugs originated from India and Pakistan and they are routed through Addis-Ababa to Lagos. In summary, we have a total of 162 cartons/92,387 packs/929,970 sachets /9,299,700 tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride with a DPV of N13.8billion which will be handed over to NDLEA by this Command. We are also handing over the suspect, Samson Olayiwan Tantolohun of 29 Okejide Street, Ejigbo, Lagos”.
Speaking further Dangaladima said 309 pieces of military helmets; 106 pieces of Military Armless Jackets; 352 pieces of ballistic body armoured pads and 119 pieces of Police Badges were intercepted.
“We intercepted and detained some Military hardware and uniforms from two AWBs,118-11860343/3 and118-18860332/5, with the following 309 pieces of military helmets; 106 pieces of Military Armless Jackets; 352 pieces of ballistic body armoured pads and 119 pieces of Police Badges.
“Others are five pieces of bulletproof jackets; 33 pieces of body side ballistic pads and 105 pieces of ballistic chest plates. The suspect connected to this importation could not provide the end user certificate which is the lawful prerequisite for such Importation. We have detained the suspects, Mr Olaolu Marquis, and the military wares while the investigation is ongoing.
“We are very much mindful of the fact that 2023 is an election year in Nigeria, and the inflow of traffic of these hard drugs that induce our youths to do extraordinary things (when taken) is bound to increase. I can assure the unscrupulous importers that MMAC is the most dangerous route for their illicit trade because we are always here to catch them and ensure that they face the wrath of the law” he concluded.
Emmanuel Ukoh
