By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday gave more reasons why it dime light at the Onne Port, Rivers State, in its bid to tackle the influx of illegal arms into the country through that axis.
Addressing journalist under the umbrella of the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee, in Abuja, the NCS spokesman, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada (CSC) said that the decision was taken to enable the service pay more attention to 100 percent physical examination of cargoes in order to stop all forms of importation of illegal arms through the port.
Maiwada said the service had seized 844 rifles at the Onne Port in July this year, with some arrests made in connection with that massive illegal arms importation.
According to him, those arrested were handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigations and prosecution.
He noted that Customs raked in N277.5 b from duties and N15 billion from Excise in the month of August.
His words, “In August 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) achieved significant milestones across key areas, including revenue generation, enforcement activities, trade facilitation, and strategic stakeholders’ engagement. The NCS collected ₦277.5 billion in import duties and ₦15.8 billion in excise duties, reflecting its commitment to revenue maximization.
“In an effort to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum, the NCS recorded 83 seizures across various commands, including 170,000 liters of PMS, 3,083 bags of foreign rice, 1,014 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 23 vehicles, and other contraband, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦975.066 million.”
Mr. Maiwada also said that in order to boost trade facilitation, scanners would soon arrive from China, following a recent visit of the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, to China.
Inmates feeding increases by 50%
Following the harsh economic situation and high cost of foodstuff in the country, the Federal Government has approved a 50 per cent increase in the feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria, with effect from August 2024.
ACC Abubakar Umar, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Correctional Service, who spoke on achievements of his organization in the month of August made this known at the briefing.
He described it as “the first phase” of a broader review of inmates’ welfare to enhance their living conditions.
Speaking on widely reported poor feeding and other conditions in the Correctional Centres, Umar said, “The inmate feeding allowance has been increased by 50 per cent, effective from August 2024. This is just the first phase.
“The FG will also consider additional reviews. This is just the first phase. Normally, there is a period when inmate feeding allowances are reviewed.
“Following a presentation during the budget process, the FG deemed it necessary to adjust the allowance due to the rising cost of food. Further adjustments are expected,” Umar explained.
Recall that a viral video of In-mates poor feeding conditions emerged recently showing Inmates at the Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar, Cross River State, being fed with poorly cooked meals.
The spokesman said he could not speak more on the development because an investigation ordered by the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Ojo was yet to be submitted its report.
He however insisted that the video incident did not reflect standards obtainable in the NCoS facilities across the country
Defence records showed that during the month under review, Troops neutralized 1,166 terrorists and arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and criminal elements, while also rescuing 721 kidnapped hostages.
Among those taken off the battlefield were key terrorist leaders and commanders, including Munir Arika, Sani Dilla, and Ameer Modu in the Northeast, and Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Sani Baka Tsine, and Ibrahim in the Northwest. The strategy of dismantling these terror groups by targeting their leadership, commanders, and collaborators is significantly diminishing their capacity to carry out major offensives.
Additionally, the military recovered 391 weapons, over 15,000 rounds of ammunition, and disrupted oil theft activities worth over N5 billion.
