Tag: customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the weekend took a significant step towards strengthening its air surveillance capabilities with the acquisition of a Cessna Grand Caravan EX-208B, to combat smuggling activities, it was learnt.

The Comptroller-General of the Service,  Adewale Adeniyi, it was gathered, inspected the newly acquired aircraft in Bartlesville, Washington, USA, marking a pivotal moment for the CUSTOMS’ air wing operations.

The purchase  of the aircraft, Adeniyi said, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda and “will strengthen our air border patrol capabilities, which will not only help us intercept illegal activities but also provide quick extraction support when necessary.”

The aircraft, registered as 5N-BAA is set to enhance the Service’s air patrol and surveillance efforts. Powered by the reliable PT6 Pratt and Whitney engine, the Cessna Grand Caravan is globally recognised for its rugged versatility, short-field take-off and landing capabilities, and ability to operate on remote airstrips—making it ideally suited for border security operations in the country.

Read Also: Customs to intervene in newsprint importation cost

 Adeniyi emphasised the importance of this acquisition, noting that the aircraft is fitted with the modern Garmin G1000 Avionics cockpit system, enabling operations under day, night, and low-visibility conditions. 

“This aircraft will be a game-changer for the Nigeria Customs Service’s air wing. Its ability to carry 10 officers, coupled with its six-hour aerial endurance, will significantly enhance our capacity for air surveillance and border patrol,” Adeniyi said.

The Cessna Grand Caravan, findings reveal, will play a crucial role in air patrols aimed at detecting smuggling routes, deploying armed personnel, and providing swift support for ground operations. 

Additionally, the aircraft will serve as a strategic asset for Nigeria Customs Technical and Hangar Services Ltd, offering logistical support and revenue generation for the Service. CGC Adeniyi underscored the cost-efficiency of the Cessna Grand Caravan, noting that its operational costs are relatively low compared to other aircraft in its class.

“This is a long-term investment for the Service that not only enhances our operational efficiency but also contributes to the sustainability of our air surveillance programs,” he added.

Capt. Kuhi Mbaya, the Aircraft Operations Coordinator and Managing Director of Nigeria Customs Technical and Hangar Services Ltd, lauded the acquisition as a milestone for the NCS’s aviation unit.

“With this aircraft, the Nigeria Customs Service is poised to revitalise its air border patrol activities, securing our borders more effectively and improving revenue generation for both the Service and the nation,” Capt. Mbaya remarked.

The acquisition of the Cessna Grand Caravan is expected to provide significant tactical advantages to the Service, tightening border security, and sending a clear signal to economic saboteurs that the Service is better equipped than ever to combat smuggling activities.

…as NGE urges FG to save newspaper from newsprint cartel

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has assured the media of his support in addressing the incessant rising cost of newsprint in the country.

This is as the Nigerian Guild of Editors pleaded with the federal government to save the newspaper industry from total collapse as a result of cartels running the newsprint.

The duo spoke on Thursday, October 3, in Abuja at the first international conference organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) themed “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024); Dissecting Nigeria’s challenges, genesis, impacts and options.”

Adeniyi, who was responding to an earlier appeal made by the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, said he would be discussing the issue with other stakeholders to see how the print newspaper industry can be protected.

He said: “We will see what we can do to rescue the newspaper industry from the clutches of those who have created cartel in distress. It’s not going to be difficult for us to make importation of newsprint zero rated we can pay zero duty on it.”

He said he would be discussing the issue with the minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy and other stakeholders to see how they can come in to save the newspaper industry.

NGE President and also Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Eze Anaba, said the cartel is strangulating the newspaper industry as they increase the price of newsprint at the slightest opportunity.

 Anaba said should the trend be allowed to continue, there would be no print newspaper again in the country.

Read Also: Customs seizes N682m drugs at Lagos port

He lamented: “If care is not taken the whole print media will be an online journalist what it takes to buy a tone of the newspaper now which is used for publication now costs N2million.

 He added: “The newspaper industry will die if nothing is done, this scenario has produced a very dangerous cartel. The cartel is very destructive.  If we don’t buy from them you will not publish and every day the price keeps rising.  Today it is N2 million last week it was N1.5 million.

“So I’m begging the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Information that something should be done for the media.  

“There should be a credit facility for the media to borrow money.  The media is too exposed something can be done. The government should help carry away the burden and save the media.”

Anaba also commended the Daily Trust Newspaper and the Federal Government for the amicable resolution of their differences over the SAMOA Agreement.

He said it shows that the newspaper industry can self-regulate.

He said: “This morning the daily newspaper published an apology over the complaint made by FG through the national security adviser and the honourable minister of information the reason I brought this up is this, the media in Nigeria can be very responsible.”

He also commended the NSA and the Minister of Information and National Orientation for submitting themselves to the process.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island Command announced yesterday, the seizure of three containers loaded with 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg.

The street value of the items, according to its Area Controller, Dera Nnadi, is N682,050,000.00.

The prohibited items, according to him, were shipped into the country onboard vessels belonging to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, Nnadi said: “We have handed over the seized drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in furtherance of existing interagency collaboration and the MOU signed between the NDLEA and NCS.

According to him, “It gives me great pleasure, to welcome you, our esteemed media professionals to this Hand-over Ceremony. This occasion offers us the opportunity to unveil three seizures in Tin-Can Island Area Command. In the coming weeks, it is our hope and desire to hand over several other containers of a similar nature after consultations with Customs Headquarters.

“In the interim, the Command having received actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries, intercepted the three containers which we are showcasing today.

The drugs extracted from the containers, he said: “are being handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) TCIP, in furtherance of existing interagency collaboration and the MOU signed between the NDLEA and NCS.

The details of each subject container, the controller said: “are as follows: A joint 100% physical examination was conducted on container with number MSMU 518030/2 (1X40FT) on the 2nd of August 2024 and the examination revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg.

“At the time of processing the intelligence, system profiling indicated that a declaration was made on an SGD Number withheld on 30-07-2024, listing three used vehicles.

“Also, another 100 percent physical examination was conducted on the container with number MSMU 602957/0 (1X40FT) on 8 Aug 2024 and the examination revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg.

He said further that, “at the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company to the consignment is MSC.

Read Also: Customs destroys 1,015 sacks of dried donkey meat, skin in Edo

“Again, a joint 100 percent physical examination was conducted on the container with number FSCU 927461/3 (1X40FT) on the 8th of August 2024 and the examination revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.

Investigation by the Command and our partner agency the NDLEA, he said ” is ongoing and the NDLEA will update you on the interdiction, arrest, and prosecution.

“In furtherance of the synergy between the NDLEA and the NCS, the Command is handing over the contents of the three containers totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682, 050,000.00.

The Command and indeed the Service, he declared: “will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at our disposal and in collaboration with other security and other regulatory agencies check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and dangerous substances. We are more than committed to delivering on this mandate,” the Area controller said.

The Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Assistant Controller General, ACG Sambo Dangaladima says banditry will soon be over by the grace of Almighty God.

Dangaladima, who said this in Katsina on Wednesday, while addressing officers and men of the Katsina Area Command, urged the personnel to be security conscious.

He said the visit was to sensitise the officers on the issue of collaboration, innovation and the relationship between stakeholders and the NCS.

According to him, his visit to Katsina is in line with the policy thrust of the NCS Controller General (CG), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, of consolidation, collaboration and innovation.

He further advised, “As we are in the ember month, try as much as possible to be vigilant, let us collect all the collectable duties of the federal government of Nigeria.

“Katsina is one of the states ravaged by banditry, therefore at this moment, I urge you to be professional in your conduct, most especially when on patrol, be very vigilant.

“Always remember that we have only one life, and the service is in dire need of you now, more than ever before.

“So that we ‘ll be able to man our borders properly, to prevent the influx of contraband goods, as well as infiltration of small arms and light weapons that may end up in the hands of bandits and other criminals.”

He further encouraged them to try as much as possible to be security conscious among themselves, adding that their superior should know their movements to ascertain their whereabouts.

Read Also: Customs destroys 1,015 sacks of dried donkey meat, skin in Edo

“You know the condition we are in, especially now that this banditry is getting bad. But by the grace of Almighty God, very soon it will be over,” Dangaladima prayed.

He further commended the personnel’s hard work and determination, especially working in a tense environment like that of Katsina.

He said: “Being Katsina a border and volatile area, it is a big task to be, but with the help of Almighty Allah, as well as that of the communities in the border area, NCS will succeed.

“Let me use this medium to call on the operatives to support the Controller to succeed, because, if he succeeds, the department has succeeded and the country as a whole has also succeeded.” (NAN)

Arising from its 60th Regular Meeting, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) board has confirmed the appointment of two Deputy Comptroller -Generals of Customs (DCGs) and five Assistant Comptroller -Generals of Customs (ACGs).

The National Public Rations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada made this known in statement on Wednesday.

He said:  “The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) in its 60th Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, confirmed the appointment of two (2) Deputy Comptroller-Generals of Customs (DCGs) and five (5) Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Customs (ACGs).”

The spokesperson said the  newly confirmed appointmented Deputy Comptroller-Generals of Customs (DCGs) are OA Alajogun and KI Adeola. 

He added that Assistant Comptroller Generals are IG Umar, MM Tilley-Gyado, BA Makinde, OA Salefu and T Bomodi. 

Read Also: Customs impounds N31b goods at Onne Port

The appointments, Maiwada said, were made in response to the statutory retirement of senior officers and are in full alignment with the Federal Character Policy, as outlined in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The meeting, according to him, was chaired by the  Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, was held at the new corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Maitama, Abuja.

 The appointments were made in response to the statutory retirement of senior officers and are in full alignment with the Federal Character Policy, as outlined in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

Maiwada said the board approved the resolution from its 59th Regular Meeting held on May 14, 2024, to upgrade the ICT Unit to a full-fledged department. This strategic upgrade is vital to the ongoing modernisation efforts within the NCS.

The statement said similarly, DCG KI ADEOLA has been appointed as the substantive Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the newly upgraded ICT-Modernisation Department.

The statement added: “She will be supported by an Assistant Comptroller-General and five (5) Comptrollers to ensure the successful implementation of ICT initiatives aimed at enhancing the Service’s operational efficiency and digital transformation.

 “The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, extended his congratulations to the newly appointed. 

“He emphasized the need for them to double their efforts in carrying out the critical roles of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and the suppression of smuggling to bolster Nigeria’s socio-economic development.”