The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has generated more than N1 trillion in 2017, the highest amount ever since its coming into being in 1891, for revenue collection and accounting, and curtailing anti-smuggling activities.

Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer of the Customs, made this known at a media briefing in Abuja.

According to Attah, the sum is N241.68 billion higher than the N770.57 billion target the NCS set for itself for 2017, adding that the feat was achieved with about five working days remaining before the end of the year.

The NC generated a total amount of N898.67 billion in 2016 .

“With dogged implementation of the presidential mandate to restructure, reform and raise revenue, Nigeria Customs Service has recorded the highest revenue collection ever of N1,012,259,006,779.94 with five more working days to the end of 2017,” Attah said.

“It is imperative to state that the service would have performed better if not for the paucity of funds.

“Despite this difficult situation, NCS strives to deliver, sometimes even at the risk of sustaining serious injuries and even death.”

Attah added that “in the process of enforcing the laws, six officers fell in the line of duty this year”.

He described the performance of the NCS in terms of revenue generation as remarkable, given the economic recession witnessed in the country and the low volume of imports due to some import restrictions.

Attah also said that illegally-imported goods worth over N11 billion were seized by the Service, including 2,671 pump action rifles, dangerous drugs, rice and vehicles among others.

He reserved special praise for Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General of Customs, “whose leadership qualities made the record possible”.