The Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Command of THE Nigeria Customs Service said it realised N2.09 billion revenue in 2016.
This is just as the command made 161 seizures of various items and arrested 20 suspects in connection with the seizures.
Public Relations Officer of the Command, Musa Aamu Yusuf who disclosed this is a statement made available to journalists in Sokoto said the seized items included 6000 bags of smuggled rice, 5200 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 1150 bales of secondhand clothes, mosquito repellent and used vehicles with total Duty Paid Value of about 200 million naira.
He said the 20 suspects were granted bail while investigation was ongoing.
“The 2016 revenue profile present 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, corporation of the trading public and other stakeholders including Customs licensed Agents and other security out fits particularly the Military and Police,” he said.
He reiterated the ban on the importation of rice and vehicles through land borders and called on legitimate importers to comply with the Federal Government’s fiscal policies and explore legitimate alternatives and windows available for importation of restricted items.
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