The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced it impounded several illegal items at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Between January and April, customs officers intercepted counterfeit $1.2 million notes, 148 drones, and five cryptocurrency machines.
According to Charles Orbih, customs area commander, “The command also handed over 148 pieces of unmanned area vehicles (UAVs) also known as drones, 112 military hardware and accessories, two bulletproof helmets and two military vests to the 81 division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.”
Orbih noted that the importers of the drones were unable to present an end-user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), leading to their abandonment. “Virtually all the drones were abandoned, while drones above 250 grams are to come with EUCs and whenever we ask for the certificate, they abandon the UAVs,” he added.
The seized items were handed over to the appropriate authorities, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army. The counterfeit foreign currencies were given to the EFCC’s assistant commander, Oguzi Moses, while the drones and military hardware were handed over to the General Officer commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Usman.
In addition to the seizures, the NCS generated N19 billion in revenue between January and April, representing a 67% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Orbih attributed this success to the dedication of customs officers, saying, “In line with the NCS mandate of revenue collection, revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and national security, the officers and men of the command under my watch remained resolute and dedicated in ensuring the blockage of revenue leakages.”
He also added that “The command generated N19 billion between January and April 2024. This represents 42 percent collection of the annual revenue target given to the command for the year 2024 and 67 percent increase in collection against the preceding year of 2023.”
