The Niger Area Command of Nigeria Custom Service collected N417 million revenue in the first quarter of this year.
Mr Garba Kabiru, the Area Comptroller, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Wednesday.
The command supervises Niger, Kogi and Kwara offices of the service.
Kabiru said that about N149 million revenue was collected in March, N160 million in February, while N107 million was collected in January.
He said that anti-smuggling unit of the command seized rice, vehicles and second hand clothes whose duty paid value was N15 million in the first quarter of the year.
Kabiru said that the command had introduced more comprehensive security measures to prevent all forms of smuggling in the area.
He said that the area command had issued an order to officers deployed to man border posts in Tungan Madugu, Kibira and Agbara Rofiya in Borgu Local Government area of Niger.
While the order was also sent to officers in border posts in Chikanda,Yashikira ,Kuso Boso in Barutem Local Government area of Kwara State.
“We are battle ready to end smuggling through our various strategies that will pave way for arrest and prosecution of smugglers.”
Kabiru solicited the support of traditional rulers and stakeholders in sensitising residents on the negative effects of smuggling on the nation’s economy.
“We have also reached out to youths in the border communities to assist our field officers with required intelligence information that will assist in curbing all forms of smuggling activities,” he said.
Kabiru called on officers and men of the command to continue to put in their best as hard working ones would be rewarded. (NAN)
AAG/TA