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  • Customs to equip 100 officers for strategic leadership positions 

    Customs to equip 100 officers for strategic leadership positions 

    The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, has inaugurated a combined cohort of 100 officers, comprising 50 participants for Senior Course 14 and 50 for Junior Course 24, has part of efforts to equipping its officers with the skills required to enhance operational efficiency and leadership capacity.

    The ceremony, held at Ahmad Makarfi Hall of the College, marked the commencement of the courses, which will run for six months for Senior Course participants and three months for Junior Course participants.

    Addressing the newly inaugurated students and members of the Directing Staff, the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC),  the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi

    who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Sulaiman Chiroma, described the inauguration as more than the commencement of an academic programme. He said it marks a critical milestone in the Service’s transition from operational efficiency to strategic leadership development.

    “The management of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, has continued to commit significant resources to strengthening the Command and Staff College and its programmes. The impact of these courses will soon reflect in officers’ career progression and institutional performance.”

    Adeniyi explained that participation in Command courses would increasingly be a prerequisite for career advancement within the Service, urging participants to regard their nomination as both a privilege and a responsibility earned through a deliberate, selective process.

    Read Also: Customs, NDLEA foil N4.7b drug shipment

    He charged the officers to diligently absorb the knowledge to be imparted, apply it in their careers, and uphold integrity, accountability, and professionalism. “Modern Customs administration demands officers who are not only operationally competent but also strategically grounded,” he stressed.

    He added, “The College remains a vital platform for equipping middle-level managers with the skills required to function in an increasingly complex security and economic environment, particularly as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares to operate within a new national revenue framework.”

    The CGC encouraged participants to embrace leadership defined by character, discipline, sound judgment and adherence to the core values of the Service, advising them to conduct themselves as officers and gentlemen both within and outside the College community. He congratulated the officers, expressing confidence that they would emerge as capable leaders and administrators, ready to drive institutional reforms and support national economic objectives.

    In his remarks, the Commandant of NCCSC, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, said the College has remained a centre for capacity building, leadership development, and professional training for middle-level management officers.

    Gaura highlighted the College’s role in producing officers who advance the Service’s operational and strategic objectives. He explained that the current Command and Leadership Courses are designed to prepare officers for higher responsibilities by strengthening competencies in leadership, policy analysis, communication, and inter-agency cooperation, skills essential for addressing emerging national and global challenges.

    The Commandant urged participants to demonstrate commitment, discipline, punctuality, adaptability, and a strong appetite for knowledge, emphasising that “academic excellence, integrity and professionalism remain non-negotiable standards within the College.”

    He assured officers of the availability of instructors and directing staff to guide and mentor them throughout the programme, while encouraging participation in sports and recreational activities to support physical fitness and mental well-being.

    Gaura also warned against academic misconduct, including plagiarism and examination malpractice, stating that the College maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such infractions. “I urge you to comply strictly with the rules and regulations of the institution, responsibly utilise resources provided by the Service, and protect the College environment,” he said.

    The Commandant formally declared the courses open, congratulated the participants and expressed confidence that the training would be both impactful and enriching, wishing them a successful and rewarding academic experience.

  • Customs introduces mandatory drug tests for officers nationwide

    Customs introduces mandatory drug tests for officers nationwide

    The management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the introduction of mandatory drug testing for all serving officers and men across its commands nationwide, as part of efforts to strengthen security responsibilities and operational integrity.

    The disclosure was made in Lagos by the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Babandede, during a familiarisation visit to the Apapa Area Command.

    Babandede outlined the Service’s core mandates, including revenue generation, national security, public safety and trade facilitation, while commending the Apapa Command for its effective inter-agency collaboration.

    He assured that drug tests would be carried out across all commands and urged officers to remain health-conscious to support effective service delivery.

    The Assistant Comptroller-General also stressed that effective enforcement is critical to creating a secure environment in which legitimate trade can thrive.

    Babandede commended the Apapa Area Command of the Service for its exceptional performance in revenue generation and its successes in anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation

    While addressing the officers during the visit, he praised them for their commitment to the Command’s operational successes in 2025 and explained that the purpose of his visit was also to understand the operational challenges faced by the Command.

    The Zonal Coordinator acknowledged the Command’s notable achievements and the officers’ dedication in consistently surpassing expectations, particularly in revenue collection, where the Command exceeded its annual target.

    Read Also: Customs, NDLEA foil N4.7b drug shipment

    He also lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling efforts, especially the significant seizures of narcotics and other illicit substances, including cocaine and tramadol, describing the interceptions as critical contributions to national security, public health, and societal safety.

    He urged officers to deepen cooperation with sister agencies, particularly in the deployment and promotion of trade facilitation tools that have positioned the Service at an upper-class operational rating.

    Babandede stressed the importance of integrity, reputational management, mentorship, and capacity building within the Command.

    The ACG urged senior officers to transfer their knowledge and experience to younger officers while also pointing out the significance of officers’ welfare and health.

    He further disclosed that drug tests would be conducted across Commands, advising officers to remain health-conscious to ensure effective service delivery.

    In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed appreciation to the Zonal Coordinator for the timely and motivating visit.

    Oshoba reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining its performance in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency cooperation, and ethical conduct in strict adherence to the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

  • Customs–NDLEA foil N4.7b drug shipment at Lagos seaport

    Customs–NDLEA foil N4.7b drug shipment at Lagos seaport

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled a N4.7 billion drug shipment at Lagos’ Tin Can Island Port, intercepting a 40-foot container used to smuggle 2,366 packs of cannabis indica through the nation’s busiest maritime trade corridor.

    The consignment, concealed inside three used vehicles, the Customs command said yesterday in a statement by its spokesperson, Oscar Ivara, was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), following a joint, intelligence-led examination that also uncovered a Colt MK IV .45 calibre pistol with an empty magazine.

    The seizure, he said, highlights how criminal networks attempt to exploit legitimate import channels, raising costs for compliant shippers and reinforcing the need for tighter port surveillance.

    The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, said the interception followed coordinated profiling and examination carried out on January 28 with NDLEA and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives.

    “Today, we inform you of developments in securing our borders, aligning with the 2026 International Customs Day theme of vigilance and commitment,” Onyeka said.

    According to him, officers discovered the drugs packed in 55 jumbo bags inside the container, which had been deliberately masked with used vehicles—a Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Sienna, and Toyota Matrix, to evade detection.

    Read Also: Navy raids Apapa drug hideout, hands seized substances to NDLEA

    “A 40-foot container was found to contain 2,366 packs in 55 jumbo bags of cannabis indica,” he said.

    Onyeka added that the operation reflects a shift toward risk-based enforcement at the ports, where intelligence and inter-agency collaboration are increasingly central to safeguarding trade flows and public safety.

    “Interestingly, we apprehended one suspect in connection with the seizure,” he said, warning the Service would not tolerate drug smuggling or any form of transnational crime that threatens national security and public health.

    Receiving the consignment, NDLEA Commander, Tin Can Island, Solomon Omotoso, praised the collaboration, noting its importance to maintaining the credibility of Nigeria’s seaports.

    He assured that the agency would pursue comprehensive investigations and diligently prosecute all those involved in line with the provisions of the law.

  • Committee backs Customs 40% clearance time

    Committee backs Customs 40% clearance time

    The Customs Consultative Committee (CCC) has backed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as it moves to cut cargo clearance time at the ports by 40 per cent, a reform driven by digital integration and projected to unlock up to N3 trillion in annual cost savings for the economy.

    The CCC threw its weight behind the initiative, describing it as a data-driven shift that could reposition the country’s ports within global supply chains, reduce demurrage losses and hardwire efficiency into customs administration through deeper digital integration.

    The support follows the recent unveiling of the Time Release Study (TRS) by Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the 2026 World Customs Day celebration on January 26.

    The study, conducted at Tin Can Island Port with technical backing from the World Customs Organisation (WCO), quantified how coordinated reforms across agencies could dramatically shorten cargo dwell time.

    Speaking in an interview, CCC’s Secretary Dr Eugene Nweke, said the findings mark a transition point for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem—from merely measuring delays to converting data into economic impact.

    “In an era where competitiveness is measured in hours, not intentions, the TRS positions the NCS as a modern customs administration capable of diagnosing bottlenecks with precision,” he said.

    Read Also: Temitope Adeoye calls for carbon credit awareness across Nigeria

    The TRS, a globally recognised customs performance tool, measures how long it takes cargo to move from arrival to final release at ports and border points. According to the Tin Can Island findings, harmonised digital processes and stronger inter-agency coordination alone could deliver a 40 per cent reduction in clearance time, freeing capital trapped in delays and improving supply-chain predictability.

    Nweke cautioned, however, that the study must not be misinterpreted as an indictment of institutions.

    “For the NCS to achieve its reforms, the TRS should be seen as a diagnostic tool, not a fault-finding exercise; and a source of process intelligence, not institutional blame,” he said.

    From a maritime business perspective, the implications extend beyond customs operations. Faster cargo turnaround, he said, directly influences vessel scheduling, terminal productivity, freight rates and Nigeria’s attractiveness as a trans-shipment and destination market in West and Central Africa.

    According to Nweke, the TRS aligns squarely with Adeniyi’s reform pillars, particularly trade facilitation and port efficiency.

    “It does that by identifying systemic dwell-time drivers, ease of doing business through measurable improvement indicators, alongside integrity and transparency by reducing discretionary bottlenecks,” he said.

    He added that the real value of the study lies not in the data itself but in the institutional response it triggers—policy refinement, process simplification, automation optimisation and structured stakeholder compliance education.

    “Without this bridge, even the best data becomes a missed opportunity,” Nweke said.

    The CCC also argued that embedding TRS benchmarks into management scorecards and key performance indicators could strengthen revenue performance, accountability and reporting to oversight bodies, including the Presidency, the Ministry of Finance and international development partners.

    “The WCO-endorsed TRS is not an end in itself. It is a strategic national asset. When leadership drives the response and collaboration is structured rather than noisy, measurement translates into progress,” Nweke said.

    He added: “As Nigeria deepens its trade facilitation and port efficiency reforms, the message is clear that measurement creates clarity and leadership turns clarity into progress.”

    At the unveiling, Adeniyi described the TRS as a cornerstone of Customs’ modernisation agenda, aimed at making Nigeria’s trade gateways “secure, efficient, predictable and globally competitive.”

    He said the service would institutionalise the TRS as a continuous diagnostic tool rather than a one-off exercise, signalling a long-term commitment to evidence-based reform in port operations.

    For shipping lines, terminal operators and cargo owners, the success of the 40 per cent clearance-time cut could mark the difference between the country remaining a high-cost port environment, or emerging as a regional logistics hub with measurable efficiency gains.

  • Customs clamps down on smugglers, seizes cannabis sativa, rice worth N3.3b

    Customs clamps down on smugglers, seizes cannabis sativa, rice worth N3.3b

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has intercepted 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1,431 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud”, and other prohibited items worth N3.32 billion within Lagos and its environs.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, the Area Controller, Aliyu Gambo, described the seizures as the outcome of a strategic operation anchored on intelligence-led enforcement.

    Gambo added that the unit made 144 seizures after reorganising patrol patterns, strengthening internal supervision, and shifting from predictable checkpoints to targeted deployments across the Lagos metropolis.

    According to him, the seizures included 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 12 trailer loads), 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 units of used vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing, and a 20-foot container loaded with stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.

    In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Gambo revealed that officers intercepted 3,029 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing about 1,431kg, describing the operation as a significant disruption of criminal supply networks fueling insecurity in the country.

    “These seizures occurred against the backdrop of rising banditry, terrorism, and other societal vices threatening national stability. Drug trafficking fuels these crimes by providing chemical stimulants that embolden perpetrators and erode social order,” he said.

    He disclosed that the command lost one of its officers in the line of duty on Tuesday, noting that the development had been formally communicated to the Customs high command.

    The Comptroller also announced notable environmental and wildlife-related interceptions, including four live pangolins rescued along Alapa Creek, Ajilete, and handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre.

    Similarly, the unit seized 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle, which Aliyu said posed serious environmental and public health risks due to hazardous substances and greenhouse gas emissions.

    Read Also: Customs to fix trade leakages with tech

    He explained that the seizure aligned with Section 55(1)(d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the Basel Convention, both of which regulate transboundary movement of hazardous waste.

    Aliyu said eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently under investigation.

    In line with inter-agency collaboration, he disclosed that the seized cannabis would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

    Beyond enforcement, Gambo said the unit recovered N36.89 million between December 10, 2025, and the date through demand notices issued over cargo misdeclaration and other import-export compliance breaches.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to combating smuggling, trans-border crimes, and economic sabotage, while facilitating legitimate trade through professionalism, intelligence-driven operations, and collaboration with sister security agencies and border communities.

    He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the opportunity to serve, and urged officers of the unit to sustain the momentum in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy, environment, and national security.

  • Customs to fix trade leakages with tech

    Customs to fix trade leakages with tech

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is repositioning itself not merely as a revenue agency but as a strategic maritime trade enabler, using technology and international data partnerships to tackle cargo diversion, port inefficiencies and cross-border risk—issues that continue to cost the shipping and logistics industry billions annually.

    This new posture came into focus as the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the United Arab Emirates, placing Nigeria at the centre of global conversations on trade innovation, supply-chain security and port competitiveness.

    NCS, led by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, used the platform to push a clear message to global maritime stakeholders: fixing Africa’s trade bottlenecks now depends less on physical inspections and more on shared data, digital systems and coordinated Customs-to-Customs enforcement across transit corridors.

    Speaking during a high-level panel, Adeniyi framed cargo diversion, a persistent challenge along West and Central African shipping routes, as a systemic risk to maritime trade rather than a national problem.

    “Diversion of goods in transit is not a challenge unique to Nigeria; it is a global issue that requires coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation. Through existing WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks, Customs administrations can more effectively investigate offences and ensure that goods reach their intended destinations,” he said.

    Read Also: Customs hands over seized arms, ammunition to centre, generates N44.06b in January

    For shipping lines, port operators and cargo owners, the implication is significant: better data exchange between Customs authorities could reduce cargo delays, leakages and disputes that often arise between ports of loading, transhipment hubs and final destinations.

    Adeniyi, who also chairs the WCO Council, stressed that Nigeria’s Customs modernisation agenda is increasingly anchored on intelligence-led enforcement rather than traditional border checks, a shift designed to align Nigerian seaports with global trade lanes and digital supply chains.

    “Our experience has shown that robust engagement with international organisations such as INTERPOL, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Universal Postal Union creates opportunities for deeper cooperation, especially in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing emerging trade risks,” he said.

    That collaboration focus resonates strongly within maritime trade circles, where counterfeit goods, illicit transhipment and documentation fraud continue to distort port operations and undermine investor confidence.

    Beyond enforcement, the conference also highlighted how technology can speed up legitimate cargo movement, an issue critical to Nigeria’s ambition to become a regional maritime hub. Adeniyi pointed to a UAE-developed digital humanitarian corridor as an example of how fully digital Customs environments can move time-sensitive cargo seamlessly.

    “I saw a tool today developed by the UAE that creates a digital humanitarian corridor. If scaled across the global Customs community, it can significantly enhance our ability to move humanitarian goods efficiently within a fully digitalised environment,” he said.

    Nigeria’s participation extended beyond policy advocacy. The Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) team showcased homegrown digital platforms aimed at simplifying port processes and reducing human contact points that often slow cargo clearance.

    At the exhibition, TMP highlighted the indigenous B’odogwu application, a custom-built platform designed to integrate all trade ecosystem players—Customs officers, shipping agents, terminal operators and regulators—into a single digital workflow.

    Industry observers note that such platforms could be transformative for Nigeria’s ports if fully adopted, particularly as regional competitors invest aggressively in smart port infrastructure.

    TMP General Manager Ahmed Ogunsola reinforced this technology-first approach during a panel on cloud computing and data analytics, where discussions centred on improving risk management and compliance without disrupting cargo flow. Meanwhile, TMP’s software development lead, Nabil Mustapha, traced the evolution of national trade systems around secure architectures, seamless user experience and measurable outcomes.

    However, Adeniyi cautioned that technology alone will not deliver maritime trade efficiency without skilled personnel to run and adapt these systems.

    “Sustainable modernisation must be supported by deliberate investment in human capital renewal,” he said, noting that many Customs administrations face generational transitions as experienced officers exit the system.

    The Abu Dhabi conference also drew support from UAE officials and WCO leadership, who underscored the central role of Customs in securing global supply chains amid rising geopolitical and cyber risks.

  • Customs hands over seized arms, ammunition to centre, generates N44.06b in January

    Customs hands over seized arms, ammunition to centre, generates N44.06b in January

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command, has handed over seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), reaffirming its commitment to border security, trade facilitation and inter-agency collaboration.

    Speaking at the handover ceremony in Lagos, yesterday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, said the exercise underscored Customs’ zero-tolerance for smuggling and its resolve to ensure that only legitimate trade thrives within Nigeria’s borders.

    Anani noted that the handover was carried out with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, under whose leadership the seizures were made.

    The items handed over included five pistols of different makes, one Crossman Pump Master rifle, 132 Remington live cartridges, 51 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, four 9mm magazines, 40 rounds of assorted 9mm and blank/hollow ammunition, as well as 118 empty 9mm shells.

    According to the PTML Customs boss, the arms and ammunition were uncovered on 25 different occasions during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 and 2025, describing the seizures as the outcome of sustained vigilance and collaboration with sister security agencies operating at the port.

    He stressed that the PTML Command remains a “no-go area for unlawful trade under any guise,” adding that the Command is firmly committed to the implementation of the Revised Kyoto Convention, a World Customs Organisation instrument aimed at balancing trade facilitation with effective regulatory control.

    Comptroller Anani also highlighted the impact of the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project, noting that the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, has significantly enhanced productivity at the Command. He disclosed that PTML would soon receive cargo scanners, which would further strengthen its capacity to detect concealments such as arms and ammunition.

    On revenue performance, the Area Controller announced that with two days left to the end of January 2026, the Command had generated ₦44.06 billion, surpassing the ₦40.50 billion recorded in January 2025 by ₦3.56 billion, representing an 8.8 per cent increase.

    Read Also: Customs, NDLEA intercept 347.5kg of Canadian Loud at Apapa Port

    He commended compliant stakeholders for their continued cooperation, describing them as key partners in the Command’s success.

    “On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, I hereby formally hand over these seizures to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for appropriate action,” Comptroller Anani said.

     The seized arms were handed over to CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu (RTD), the South west Zonal coordinator, National Centre for the control of small arms and light weapons.

    Officials of NCCSALW.  Also present at the event were management of PTML, heads of sister agencies and Customs officers.

  • Customs, NDLEA intercept 347.5kg of Canadian Loud at Apapa Port

    Customs, NDLEA intercept 347.5kg of Canadian Loud at Apapa Port

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted 347.5 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in an imported Toyota Sienna at the Apapa Port, Lagos.

    The illicit drugs were uncovered during a joint examination of a single import consignment containing four vehicles, the Customs Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Port Command, Isah Sulaiman, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.

    According to the command, the drugs were hidden in 13 bags inside one of the vehicles. A breakdown of the seizure showed that 10 bags weighed 25kg each, one bag weighed 29kg, while two others weighed 34.5kg and 34kg respectively, bringing the total to 347.5kg.

    The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Port Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, said the seizure represents the fourth major joint drug interception by the NCS and NDLEA at the port in less than two months.

    Oshoba said the interception reinforces his resolve that no cargo, whether import or export, would be allowed to pass through the port without thorough examination, warning that criminal elements attempting to traffic prohibited goods through Apapa Port would always be detected and stopped.

    Read Also: Court orders final forfeiture of aircraft over N1.04b customs duty violation

    “We remain vigilant and resolute in our duty to protect our society and national security,” he said.

    He added that the operation underscored the strength of inter-agency collaboration, noting that intelligence sharing and joint enforcement by the NCS and NDLEA have consistently outmanoeuvred smuggling networks operating within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

    According to Oshoba, the seizure was a direct result of the strengthened partnership between the two agencies. He also disclosed that plans were underway to deploy a high-capacity drive-through scanner capable of processing up to 200 containers per hour to further enhance technology-driven anti-smuggling operations at the port.

    The CAC explained that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs of both agencies continue to promote zero tolerance, professionalism and seamless cooperation among officers.

    He confirmed that, in line with established protocols, the seized 347.5kg of Canadian Loud had been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects.

    Oshoba noted that the interception aligns with the 2026 International Customs Day theme, “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment,” reaffirming the Apapa Port Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while intensifying efforts to curb illicit activities and safeguard society.

  • Customs, NDLEA smash drug smuggling ring, intercept 347.5kg Canadian loud in Apapa port

    Customs, NDLEA smash drug smuggling ring, intercept 347.5kg Canadian loud in Apapa port

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has swooped on a suspected international drug trafficking ring that specialises in smuggling Canadian loud and other prohibited items into the country through the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa.

    Findings revealed that 347.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud; a potent strain of cannabis,  hidden inside an imported Toyota Sienna vehicle was intercepted though the joint efforts.

    A detailed weighing of the seized confirmed the breakdown as 10 bags at 25kg each, One at 29kg, and Two at 34.5kg and 34kg respectively, totaling 347.5kg.

    The illicit substance was concealed by the traffickers in 13 bags within one of four vehicles contained in a single import consignment.

    The seizure was made barely 24 hours after the Customs Area Controller, Emmanuel Oshoba, received a World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit. 

    The interception marks the fourth significant joint drug seizure by the NCS and NDLEA at Apapa Port under two months, underscoring Comptroller Oshoba’s firm commitment that no cargo whether import or export will pass through the port without thorough examination.

    According to Oshoba: “Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted. We remain vigilant and resolute in the discharge of our duty to protect our society and national security.”

    The operation , Osoba said, highlights the exemplary inter-agency collaboration championed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

    “Through intelligence sharing and joint efforts, NCS and NDLEA officers have consistently outmaneuvered smuggling networks in Nigeria’s maritime sector,” Osoba said.

    He noted that the seizure is a direct outcome of this strengthened partnership and emphasised that the upcoming deployment of a high-capacity 200-container-per-hour drive-through scanner will further enhance technology-driven anti-smuggling operations. 

    Both the NCS and NDLEA’s  Standard Operating Procedures continue to foster zero tolerance, unwavering professionalism and seamless cooperation among officers.

    Read Also: World Customs hails Nigeria’s report on ports efficiency

    In line with established protocols, the seized 347.5kg of Canadian Loud has been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of associated suspects.

    This latest success builds on the recognition accorded to Comptroller Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander Mohammed Tukur, who were both awarded the WCO Certificate of Merit on Monday, 26 January 2026, in Abuja as part of activities commemorating the International Customs Day celebrations in Nigeria. 

    This interception, Osoba said, ” aligns with the 2026 ICD theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”

    The Area Controller reaffirms the Command’s dedication to facilitating legitimate trade while intensifying efforts to disrupt illicit activities and safeguard society. 

  • Court orders final forfeiture of aircraft over N1.04b customs duty violation

    Court orders final forfeiture of aircraft over N1.04b customs duty violation

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of a Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000 aircraft to the Federal Government.

    The aircraft, with registration mark9H-GVG and manufacturer’s serial number 9470 and operated by Orlean Invest Africa Limited, reportedly failed to pay N1,044,493,295.54 as customs duty to the government.

    In a judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the respondents failed to show cause why the order of final seizure, condemnation and forfeiture should not be made against them.

    The judgment, delivered on January 22 (a certified true copy of which The Nation sighted yesterday), was on a suit filed by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) against Orlean Invest Africa Limited and the aircraft.

    The judge held that the respondents did not provide sufficient proof of compliance with Nigeria’s customs laws.

    He said: “From all the processes filed by the respondents, they have failed to show cause why the second respondent should not be forfeited. Proof of payment of customs duty would have helped their case, but they failed to exhibit the same. The failure to pay any customs duty since importing the second respondent into Nigeria is a grave breach of the law and affects the revenue flow of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Court remands NEDC’s project coordinator Mohammed, one other in prison over alleged N5b fraud

    “Hiding under foreign ownership to operate aircraft in Nigeria for years is nothing more than an attempt to cheat the government of revenue due to it.

    “The respondents have not shown any specific evidence showing that the duty assessed is wrong, by means of proof of some repayment.

    “The respondents only made a blanket statement of how the duty was assessed and they insisted that they are not liable to pay customs duty. “

    “It is, therefore, clear that the respondents are liable to pay customs duty on the second respondent. The customs duty assessed is still presumed correct.

    “In the final analysis, the case of the applicant has merit and same is hereby granted as prayed. It is, therefore, ordered as follows:

    “This honourable court hereby orders the final seizure, condemnation and forfeiture of Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000 with registration mark 9H-GVG and manufacturer’s serial Number 9470 at any airport in Nigeria to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Justice Omotosho said.

    The case was filed by the NCS following an audit exercise conducted on private aircraft operating in the Nigerian airspace in 2024 to determine the regularity of their operations in the context of importation and exportation processes under customs laws.

    The NCS said it discovered that many private aircraft were operating in violation of the payment of appropriate duties and accordingly issued warning notices.

    The plaintiff said it assessed the customs duty liability of Orlean Invest Africa Limited at ₦1,044,493,295.54.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer, Okon Efut (SAN), the principal partner at Okon N. Efut, SAN & Associates, hailed the courage of the Judiciary in ensuring that extant laws are complied with by all, irrespective of status.

    The lawyer described the ruling as groundbreaking and the first of its kind in Nigeria.