The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Custom Command, handed over a counterfeit cash of $1.250,000 notes, cryptocurrency machines, and military accessories to representatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army, respectively.
This was disclosed in a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Lagos on 9 May 2024, by the Comptroller incharge of the commander, Charles Orbih. He explained that it is based on the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to foster inter-agency cooperation and collaboration that this was made possible.
He further spoke on the achievement recorded by the command between January to April 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) said the sum of N19,037,442,310 was generated, representing a 42 percent collection of the revenue target given to the command and a 67 percent increase when compared to the preceding year 2023.
He said, “In our effort to block revenue leakage, we also seized items such as precious stones, zinc, lithium, copper stones, 120 pieces of sim cards, and others”.
The Custom Area Command warns smugglers to desist from their nefarious acts as officers and men of the service are always on the ground to thwart their activities.
Meanwhile, the counterfeit notes, 5 cryptocurrency machines were handed over to the EFCC, while 48 pieces of drones, 112 military wares, 2 bulletproof helmets, and 3 army vests were handed to the military.
Receiving the items, Assistant Commandant of EFCC II Oguzi Moses thanked the service for making the commission’s work easier.
He said, “This is just the starting point of our investigation. With this machine, we have a lead to discover all criminals behind this as our system would analyse all these crypto machines and produce a better result”.
On the other hand, the General Officer Commanding 81 division, Major General Mohammed Usman, appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs and the Custom Area Command for ensuring sister agency collaboration.
“As you can see, we are working together, and I know when we hand over these items to our drone experts, they will be able to use it.”
“Some of these drones can last up to 3 days on air, which means some mischievous ones bring them in, and we are happy the Customs are up to their task”. He concluded.
