The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday said its revenue collection hit N7.2 trillion in 2025.
Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale broke the news on Monday during the International Customs Day 2026 in Abuja.
The theme of the event is “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment.”
According to him, the revenue collection grew 10 per cent over the target.
Details shortly…
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘D’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bauchi, has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling campaign with the interception of smuggled goods valued over N229 million.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Abdullahi Ka’ila, made the disclosure at a news conference on Friday, in Bauchi
He said the seizures were made during intelligence-driven operations conducted over the last three weeks across identified flashpoints within the unit’s area of responsibility.
According to him, the operations followed meticulous surveillance and coordinated enforcement actions based on credible intelligence, leading to the interception of prohibited and smuggled items brought into the country through unapproved routes.
Items seized include one Toyota Urban Cruiser (2026 model), two Toyota Corolla Cross vehicles (2025 models), one Citroën Jumper bus and one Peugeot Boxer, used as means of conveyance.
Other seizures comprise 14,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 283 pieces of fresh donkey skin, 102 sacks of fried donkey meat, as well as several bales and sacks of second-hand clothing.
Ka’ila disclosed that the cumulative duty paid value of the seized items stood at N229,422,669,
He noted that success of the operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.
The comptroller warned that smuggling posed grave threats to local industries, public health and economic stability, undermining legitimate businesses and depriving the government of critical revenue for development.
Ka’ila urged members of the public to support customs operations by providing timely and credible information,
He stressed that community cooperation remained vital in the fight against economic sabotage.
Ka’ila commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team for their support.
He assured Nigerians of the continued resolve of the service to intensify patrols and protect the nation’s economy from illicit trade.
Meanwhile, the seized donkey skins and meat was handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further investigation and proper disposal,
He reiterated that investigations have commenced to identify and prosecute the masterminds behind the smuggling syndicate.
The State Coordinator NESREA, Mr Yahaya Saurayi commended the Nigerian customs for their vigilance to get rid of contrabands.
He explained that the agency is responsible for coordinating and liaising with stakeholders, within and outside Nigeria on matters of environmental standards, regulations and enforcement.
(NAN)
The Nigeria Customs Service has seized a total of 1,868 Jerry cans of petrol allegedly heading out of Nigeria through the Adamawa and Taraba border lines.
The Jerry cans are of 25-litre and 30-litre capacities.
The area command, at a press briefing on Tuesday, said it also seized 10 bales and two sacks of second-hand clothes, all within the last one month.
The Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Tako, said the items have a duty-paid value of N58,117,550. He said the seizures are an effort of his command to curb smuggling and protect the country’s economy.
“We will never relent in our resolve to prevent illegal exportation of petroleum and other items across Nigeria’s borders,” he vowed.
Details of the seized items include 410 25-litre Jerry cans of petrol at the Mubi/Sahuda axis; a total of 962 25-litres of Jerry cans on two separate dates at the Fufore/Guri axis; 141 Jerry cans, 25 litres each, at the Wuro-Boki axis, all in Adamawa State; as well as 625 Jerry cans of 30 litres each in Taraba State.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announces the commencement of a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for regulating courier companies operating under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Incoterm.
Its implementation, the Service said, provides a unified framework for registration, manifest submission, declaration, valuation, clearance, delivery, and compliance monitoring, in line with global best practices.
Under the newly commenced procedure, courier companies intending to operate the DDP regime are requested to obtain a license from the NCS Headquarters License and Permit Unit under the Tariff and Trade Department.
They are expected to submit all mandatory documents, including CAC registration papers, valid courier licenses, compliance bonds, and a formal application to operate under DDP.
It is pertinent to note that all licensed operators are required to submit an Advance Electronic Manifest (AEM) 24 hours before shipment arrival, clearly indicating DDP as the Incoterm and providing complete details such as HS codes, item descriptions, values, origins, and consignees, in line with the WCO safe framework of standards
The DDP initiative, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada said, “derives its legal foundation from International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Incoterms 2020, relevant sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, Revised Kyoto Convention, WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, NCS Courier Clearance Guidelines, and the Nigeria Postal Service Act 2023.
“The SOP further mandates courier companies to act as declarants by filing Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) via the B’Odogwú platform. Declarations should include the declared FOB values, supported by invoices, airway bills, and packing lists. Also, full payment of customs duties, VAT, and other statutory levies must be completed through authorised NCS payment channels before clearance. Additionally, risk-based cargo profiling will guide inspections, with physical examinations conducted when discrepancies or high-risk indicators are identified. Delivery to the consignee is permitted only after full clearance, and Proof of Delivery (POD) must be provided upon request.
To ensure strict adherence, the image maker said, “The NCS has instituted a robust monitoring and enforcement mechanism through periodic Post-Clearance Audits (PCA). These audits will verify the accuracy of DDP declarations, prevent revenue leakages, and confirm compliance with classification and valuation standards. Violations, including false declarations, non-payment of duties, or operational misconduct, will attract sanctions such as suspension or revocation of clearance licences, seizure of goods, penalties with interest, and prosecution under the NCS Act, 2023. Courier operators are also required to submit monthly reports of all DDP shipments, including duty payments, classification details, and delivery records, to the relevant Area Commands.
“With this commencement, Maiwada said, “The NCS reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the integrity of the clearance process, enhancing revenue assurance, facilitating legitimate trade, and ensuring that courier operations under the DDP regime meet the highest global compliance standards.”
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have smashed an international drug trafficking ring that specialised in bringing cocaine and other prohibited items into the country.
The joint enforcement which was carried out in Lagos, yesterday, led to the interception of 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms concealed onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, in Apapa port.
The seizure occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026; the first working day of the New Year at the Greenview Terminal within Apapa Port, Lagos.
The illicit substance was carefully hidden aboard the ship, underscoring the sophisticated tactics employed by smugglers attempting to exploit the nation’s busiest seaport.
The Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba commended the officers from both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism.
“This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between federal government entities and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement,” he stated. “While criminal elements seek to outsmart us, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export, or transit cargo, succeeds under my watch.”
Oshoba described the interception as a bold statement for 2026, reaffirming the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards illicit trade. In line with established protocols, the NDLEA has taken possession of the seized cocaine for further investigation and potential prosecution of those involved.
The latest bust marks the third major drug interception by the joint NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks. Barely two weeks ago, the agencies seized 25.5kg of cocaine hidden in five bags aboard another vessel based on intelligence.
Also, on 11 December 2025; 1,187kg of ‘Canadian Loud,’ a premium and highly expensive strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed within imported vehicles in a 1x40ft container.
The Area Controller reiterates that the Apapa Port Command remains steadfast in its mandate to facilitate legitimate trade while safeguarding national security.
Barely two weeks after Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni took over as the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Customs Command, operatives of the command have intercepted massive contraband, including hard drugs worth N2 billion.
Afeni, who disclosed at a maiden press briefing held on Wednesday in Idiroko Customs Area Command, noted that the seizures were the outcome of intensified intelligence-driven operations, surveillance and synergy with other security agencies and border communities since he took office on December 4.
The seizures include 4,998 cartons of Doga brand spaghetti, 419 cartons of Oba brand spaghetti, imported from Turkey; 2,200 kegs of vegetable oil from Indonesia.
According to Afeni, the combined duty paid value of the food items stood at ₦291.26 million, while the seized trucks were valued at ₦222 million.
He also disclosed that other seizures were 12kg of crystal methamphetamine, 16kg of heroin, and 3,373 wraps of cannabis sativa weighing about 1,502kg, 4, 738 bags of foreign parboiled rice, two foreign used vehicles, 6, 750 litres of premium motor spirit (petrol), 309 bundles of used tyres and other contraband worth N2,006,008,898.
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 651,505 euros and $800,575 (about N2.28 billion), from an Austrian national.
The suspect, identified as Kavlak Onal, an Austrian, was aboard Emirates Airlines en route Dubai last Saturday, when he was arrested by the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the command.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, told reporters that the suspect and the seized huge foreign currencies would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
He urged passengers to declare currencies, whether foreign or naira, on them to Customs officers, stressing that such funds are not subject to seizure.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to enforce Customs regulations and collaborate with law enforcement agencies, we are handing over the following seized undeclared foreign currencies—€651,505 and $800,575, amounting to about N2,281,891,575 when converted to naira—to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
‘‘This is also a demonstration of the synergy that has existed between the two agencies, knowing that nothing gives energy to strategy like synergy.’’ he added.
“This interception was made about 1445 hours on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Departure Terminal 2, when Mr. Kavlak Onal, an Austrian national with passport number AP0084116, who was scheduled to travel on Emirates Airline to Dubai, was asked if he had any currency to declare and he said he did not.
“However, after a search was conducted, the amount mentioned above was discovered in his travelling bag. This contravenes extant laws which mandate travellers, inbound and outbound, to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding the $10,000 threshold or its equivalent,” he said.
Nwokorie noted that the interception was in line with the laws empowering the Customs Service to curb illicit financial flows.
“It is worthy of note that this interception aligns with the laws and Acts which empower and confer on the Nigeria Customs Service the authority to prevent illicit financial flows and ensure strict implementation of Anti-Money Laundering obligations at all borders. These include Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995; Section 3 (3–5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and Section 55 (1) of the NCS Act, 2023.”
The Customs boss further said officers of the command resisted attempts at compromise and intercepted the funds, which were about to be smuggled.
He warned that anyone who fails to declare foreign currency above the $10,000 threshold risks prosecution and forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.
“The public is hereby advised that carrying currency exceeding the legally approved threshold of $10,000 or its equivalent is not an offence. However, failure to declare, false declaration, or under-declaration of the prescribed amount constitutes an offence under the law.
“Therefore, I urge anyone who has nothing to hide and is engaged in legitimate business and trade to make an honest and full declaration of currency and other negotiable instruments above the $10,000 threshold at the Currency Declaration Desks in the Arrival and Departure Halls of the airport, or risk prosecution and forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.”
He subsequently handed over the suspect to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, and with the kind permission of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the said passenger, Mr. Kavlak Onal, his international passport, and the undeclared currencies (€651,505 and $800,575) found on him are hereby duly handed over to the operatives of the EFCC for further necessary action.”
The Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Adejumo Richard, commended the level of inter-agency collaboration between the Customs Service and the Commission.
According to him, the EFCC would continue the investigation from where Customs stopped.
“We will pick up the investigation from where the Nigeria Customs Service stopped. We will do justice to the case and ensure a thorough investigation. I appreciate the Customs Service for the synergy that led to the interception of this huge sum of undeclared foreign currencies,”he added.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, has seized contraband goods with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,586,008,982 in various locations in the state.
Mr Oladapo Afeni, the Area Comptroller, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Idiroko.
Afeni explained that on Dec.12, the command intercepted an Iveco truck with registration number RMY 354 XA, laden with 4,998 cartons of Dogs brand Spaghetti of 10kg each.
He added that other seizure was 419 cartons of Oba brand Spaghetti of 10kg each, illegally imported from Turkey.
The area comptroller added that on Dec. 13, the command also intercepted a DAK truck with registration number JHN 590 XA, carrying 2,200 kegs of vegetables oil, 25 litres each of Indonesian origin.
“These foods items are designated as contraband goods and are absolutely prohibited for importation in Nigeria,’’ he said.
According to him, the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the food items stands at N291, 260, 000 while the trucks used as means of conveyance are worth N222, 000, 000.
Afeni highlighted others items seized to include 11 wraps, weighing 12kg of Crystal Meth (Ice), 16 pieces, weighing 16kg, 128 pieces of Cannabis sativa don’t size and 2,752 wraps of coconut size.
Others are 2 units of used vehicles, 4,738 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, 401 pieces of booklet size, totalling 3,373 and weighing 1,502 kg, 6,750 litera of premium motor spirit.
Also 8 units of means of conveyance and 309 bundles of used pneumatic tires.
He said that the total DPV of these seizures was ₦1,586,008,982.
Afeni said that the seizures were intercepted in different locations within the state, including Lusada/Ado-Odo-axis, Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road, Abeokuta axis, Imeko, Idiroko/Owode axis, and Ipokia axis.
The comptroller said that the command was able to make the remarkable seizures through technology, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration.
He said that the command also generated 27,291,861,00 in revenue within 16 days in December.
Afeni commended the relentless efforts of officers and men of the command for the remarkable achievement in spite daunting challenges.
The comptroller also applauded the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, for his dynamic leadership, unflinching support, and consistent encouragement.
He lauded the collaborative efforts of all sisters agencies, traditional institutions, local informants, community leaders, and the youth whose supports had continued to enhance the command’s operations.
Afeni reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to sustain this momentum.
(NAN)
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said it has commenced the enforcement of penalties against designated banks for delaying the remittance of its revenue.
National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada made this known in a press statement on Wednesday.
Accordingly, said the spokesperson, “any designated bank that fails to remit collected Customs revenue within the prescribed period shall be liable to penalty interest calculated at 3 per cent above the prevailing Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) for the duration of the delay.
“Affected banks will receive formal notifications indicating the delayed amount, applicable penalty, and the timeline for settlement.”
He said the NCS has noted instances of delayed remittance of Customs revenue by some Designated Banks following reconciliation of collections processed through the B’odogwu platform.
Maiwada said such delays constitute a breach of remittance obligations and negatively impact the efficiency, transparency, and integrity of government revenue administration.
He added that in line with the provisions of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) executed between the Nigeria Customs Service and Designated Banks, the Service hereby notifies stakeholders of the commencement of enforcement actions against banks found to be in default of agreed remittance timelines.
Maiwada further noted that persistent or repeated non-compliance with the terms of the SLA may attract additional sanctions, including regulatory and administrative measures, as provided under the Agreement and relevant laws guiding Customs revenue collection.
The statement reads in part, “The NCS reiterates that prompt, accurate, and complete remittance of Customs revenue is a fundamental obligation of Designated Banks. Any payment of collected revenue into unauthorised accounts, whether deliberate or erroneous, will be treated as a serious violation and addressed in accordance with the SLA and applicable legal frameworks.
“Designated Banks are therefore advised to strengthen internal controls, ensure strict adherence to remittance timelines, and comply fully with the provisions of the SLA.
“The Service remains committed to enforcing accountability, safeguarding government revenue, and promoting a transparent and predictable financial system in support of national economic development.”
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday announced the interception of €651,505 and $800,575, valued at about N2.28 billion, from an Austrian national at the airport.
The suspect, identified as Kavlak Onal, an Austrian citizen, was en route to Dubai aboard Emirates Airlines on Saturday, December 13, 2025, when he was arrested by the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the command.
Speaking with journalists, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, disclosed that the suspect and the seized foreign currencies would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
He urged passengers to always declare currencies, whether foreign or naira, to Customs officers, stressing that properly declared funds are not subject to seizure.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to enforce Customs regulations and collaborate with law enforcement agencies, we are handing over the following seized undeclared foreign currencies—€651,505 and $800,575, amounting to about N2,281,891,575 when converted to naira—to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This is also a demonstration of the synergy that has existed between the two agencies, knowing that nothing gives energy to strategy like synergy.
“This interception was made at about 1445 hours on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Departure Terminal 2, when Mr. Kavlak Onal, an Austrian national with passport number AP0084116, who was scheduled to travel on Emirates Airline to Dubai, was asked if he had any currency to declare, and he said he did not.
“However, after a search was conducted, the amount mentioned above was discovered in his travelling bag. This contravenes extant laws which mandate all travellers, inbound and outbound, to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding the $10,000 threshold or its equivalent.”
Nwokorie noted that the interception was in line with existing laws empowering the Customs Service to curb illicit financial flows.
“It is worthy of note that this interception aligns with the laws and Acts which empower and confer on the Nigeria Customs Service the authority to prevent illicit financial flows and ensure strict implementation of Anti-Money Laundering obligations at all borders. These include Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995; Section 3 (3–5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and Section 55 (1) of the NCS Act, 2023.”
The Customs boss further revealed that officers of the command resisted all attempts at compromise and successfully intercepted the funds, which were about to be smuggled out of the country.
He warned that anyone who fails to declare foreign currency above the $10,000 threshold risks prosecution and forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.
“The general public is hereby advised that carrying currency exceeding the legally approved threshold of $10,000 or its equivalent is not an offence. However, failure to declare, false declaration, or under-declaration of the prescribed amount constitutes an offence under the law.
“Therefore, I urge anyone who has nothing to hide and is engaged in legitimate business and trade to make an honest and full declaration of currency and other negotiable instruments above the $10,000 threshold at the Currency Declaration Desks in the Arrival and Departure Halls of the airport, or risk prosecution and forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.”
He subsequently handed over the suspect to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, and with the kind permission of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the said passenger, Mr. Kavlak Onal, his international passport, and the undeclared currencies (€651,505 and $800,575) found on him are hereby duly handed over to the operatives of the EFCC for further necessary action.”
Responding, the Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Adejumo Richard, commended the level of inter-agency collaboration between the Customs Service and the Commission.
According to him, the EFCC would continue the investigation from where Customs stopped.
“We will pick up the investigation from where the Nigeria Customs Service stopped. We will do justice to the case and ensure a thorough investigation. I appreciate the Customs Service for the synergy that led to the interception of this huge sum of undeclared foreign currencies.”