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  • We are studying presidential pronouncement on food import, says Customs

    We are studying presidential pronouncement on food import, says Customs

    Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said on Wednesday, July 10, that it was still studying the directive by the President on Tuesday on food importation to ease the hunger in the country.

    This is as the service said it generated about N2.7 trillion in the first six months of 2024, an increase of about N200 billion over its projected revenue for the same period.

    The service has a revenue target of about N5. 06 trillion for the 2024 financial year

    Speaking when the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise visited the headquarters of the service on oversight, the Customs boss said while the order by the President is aimed at addressing hunger in the country, It is not aimed at opening the border for smuggled goods to enter the country

    He said: “We are still studying it ourselves. There is nothing in that pronouncement that says the extant rules have changed apart from the suspension of the tariff and taxes. Things that are not allowed through the land border have not been allowed by that pronouncement.

    “There is nothing in that pronouncement on that because nothing was said about it. But if there are specific issues or requests that will be made from border areas, we can articulate them as input to the Minister. What was released recently as a product of several months of consultation?

    “The objective is for us to address hunger in Nigeria and not to provide a base for smuggling through the land border. So, we have to be very careful in the implementation to ensure we don’t get undesired objective from it.”

    Responding to the issue of customs officers raising markets in search of smuggled goods, he said “Let me issue a disclaimer. I did not authorise any Customs Officer to go to any market. We are not supposed to go to any market or operate in the market.

    “But the market is not supposed to provide a sanctuary for smuggled goods. If we have information that there are smuggled goods in an area, the law allows us to go there. But because we went to keep the peace, that is why we don’t raid markets, but we also want market people to display some level of responsibility”.

    Briefing the lawmakers on the successes recorded by the service in the first half of the year, the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, in charge of Trade and Tariff, CK Niagwan said the service generated about N2.9 trillion as of Tuesday, July 10.

    She said the target revenue for the period was N2. 53 trillion, adding that daily revenue collection by the service increased by about 44 percent over collections within the same period in 2023, attributing the successes recorded to teamwork to block leakages.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Leke Abejide expressed confidence that if the challenge of scammers is addressed, revenue generation by the service will greatly improve.

    He said: “On the issue of scanners, we took it as a very big subject in the 9th Assembly. And when we went round, we discovered that some of these scanners are even better than the ones they are bringing now. The speed at which they scan is better than these small ones they use the vehicle and the drive-through.

    Read Also: Apapa Customs generates N1tr in six months

    “We made a proposal for the repairs. We are still on it. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for that. And you remember these scanners when they brought them, they came through the service providers; Cotecna, SGS and Global Scan on Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT), and that’s what they did and they exited.

    “When they were leaving, there were some of the aspects they are supposed to show to the Nigerian Customs which they handed over to, they didn’t especially the spare parts aspect. So, when they wind down, that’s the end. We have to look at it and also tell the Ministry of Finance to do the needful

    “The former Comptroller General of Customs, more than 10 times we speak on this, he told me that the first set of scanners that will come in 135. So, that’s why we want to know since the message comes from Customs whether we have received up to 50 now.”

    Abejide also spoke of fluctuating exchange rate for the clearance of goods and asked the service to give Nigerians a rate which can be used by importers

  • Apapa Customs generates N1tr in six months

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  Apapa Area Command, said, yesterday, that  it collected a whooping  One trillion, twenty-three billion, six hundred and sixty-three million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand, two hundred- and fifty five-naira, sixty-three kobo between January d June this year.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, its Area Controller, Babatunde Olomu said, the figure is an increase of 143 per cent above the figures of Four hundred and twenty-one billion, three hundred and eighty-two million, one hundred and sixty-six thousand, three hundred- and seventy-eight-naira, forty-six kobo collected in the corresponding period last year.

    His words: “For the first half of 2024, that is between January-June, the command generated a total of One trillion, twenty-three billion, six hundred and sixty-three million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand, two hundred- and fifty five-naira, sixty-three kobo.

        “This shows an increase of 143 per cent above the figures of Four hundred and twenty-one billion, three hundred and eighty-two million, one hundred and sixty-six thousand, three hundred- and seventy-eight-naira, forty-six kobo collected in the corresponding period in 2023.

        The command, Olomu noted,  collected the huge amount  of money “despite a sharp reduction in the volume of trade, it is necessary to note that extra measures have been put in place to prevent losses of government revenue.

        Upon taking over as Area Controller of Apapa, Olomu said, “I set up a revenue recovery committee comprising of seasoned and dedicated officers with a mandate to carry out more detailed look into areas of leakages, especially in bonded terminals under Apapa Command.”

    Read Also: FG orders 37 contractors to deliver 260 emergency road projects in three months

        Speaking on the anti smuggling efforts of the command, the Area Controller pointed out that  “within the six months, the command made seizure of eleven containers comprising of prohibited items such as expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals, footwears, used clothing, armored cables, frozen poultry products etc., with a Duty Paid Value of Four hundred and twenty-four million, one hundred and five thousand, nine hundred and seventy-five naira (N424,105,975.00) as against 42 seizures with a DPV of NI.4 billion made in the corresponding period in 2023.

        Just last week,  the Customs chief said, “we uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in 3x40ft container numbers TCKU 6928184, MRKU 4422733, MRSU 5550243, and another 3x40ft container nos. MNBU 3934925, MEDU 9107559 and MEDU 9752980 loaded with seven thousand five hundred and eighty (7,580) cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption, which is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET).

        The importations of these prohibited items, he said, “violate section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

        “Let me state that the harmful effects of fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products on citizens are unquantifiable and as a responsible service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing them from being exposed to this dangerous importation.

        “In light of the above, I want to use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to perpetrators of smuggling, duty evasion and other forms of criminality frowned upon by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other extant laws, that Apapa command is poised to nip illicit importation in the bud.

        Consequently, in line with the CGC zero tolerance for smuggling,

        “I have reformed the command way of treating transires by ensuring more meticulous management of cargoes moving from the mother port to bonded terminals.

        Speaking on trade facilitation,  Olomu said, “we are applying a blend of intelligence with community relations for better awareness of our operating environment to achieve greater trade facilitation and fight criminality.

        “I have a team of dedicated officers charged with the responsibility of addressing all complaints or disputes within record time before escalation to my office for prompt action.

        “I don’t run an open-door policy because for me, there is literally no door at all if you want to access my office. My office is open for everyone to discuss anything that will facilitate legitimate trade and promote government interest at all times, including receiving information on suspected smuggling activities,” he said.

        Olomu gave kudos to the Comptroller-General of the  service,  Adewale Adeniyi  and the entire Management team for providing them with the needed support and leadership in discharging their responsibilities.

  • Weapons seizure: Customs engages Turkey to stop importation of illicit arms

    Weapons seizure: Customs engages Turkey to stop importation of illicit arms

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has said it is engaging its Turkish counter to halt the influx of illicit arms and ammunition into Nigeria.

    It said it is also engaging countries within the World Customs Organization, as part of strategies to cut the influx of illicit trade.

    Customs’ spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, said this on Thursday, July 4, at the Strategic Communications Inter-agency Policy Committee (SCIPC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Abuja.

    Maiwada said the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, had also ratified an agreement with Chinese Customs to address the issue.

    The NCS had on July 1 intercepted and seized arms and ammunition worth N18.23bn at the Onne Port in Rivers State in containers originating from Turkey.

    The items recovered include; 848 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.

    Read Also: Customs impounds guns, drones, others at MMA

    The illegal arms were concealed in other items inside a 1X40 foot container ‘MAEU165396’, while the drugs found in different cartons were in nine containers.

    The NCS also July 1, intercepted assorted arms, drones, and military accoutrements worth ₦1.5bn at Murtala Muhammad Airport exported from Turkey to Lagos State.

    Maiwada said: “If you recall, some two or three months back, China, and we signed an MOU with the general administration of China Customs.

    “Most of the drugs we intercept come from India. We are working towards also having what is called Customs to Customs cooperation. For those of us who are within the World Customs Organization, Customs to Customs cooperation is part of the strategy to, one, ensure trade facilitation, and two, to cut illicit trade.

    “There was an MOU with Turkey when the present Comptroller-General of Customs was the spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs, and he promised he was going to resuscitate that MOU to engage with Turkey Customs Administration on how to curtail the menace of the smuggling of small arms and light weapons into Nigeria”.

    “So we are working together with the Customs administration. And at the higher level, there will also be diplomatic engagement, which is above us. And the same question was raised about Turkey.”

  • Weapons seizure: Arms control centre commends Nigeria Customs

    Weapons seizure: Arms control centre commends Nigeria Customs

    The national coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) has commended the efforts of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in intercepting a significant cache of illicit arms and ammunition.

    Kokumo said the seizure was a testament to the unwavering contributions of the NCS to protect the country from the dangers posed by illicit arms.

    The NCCSLW boss said this in a statement by the centre’s director of strategic communications and information, Group Captain Pius Okwuego, on Tuesday, July 2.

    The Nation reports that the Nigeria Customs on Monday, July 1, displayed 844 units of rifles, 122,500 pieces of live ammunition, and N13.9 billion worth of drugs, impounded through Onne Port in River State. Three suspects have been detained in connection with the seizures.

    Kokumo said the NCCSLW had received the seized illicit arms and ammunition from the NCS for proper documentation and destruction according to the laid down procedure.

    He said: “This transfer is a significant step in the collaborative efforts between national security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s borders and public safety.

    “We express appreciation to the NCS’ in this operation. This seizure is a testament to the unwavering contributions of the Nigerian Customs Service to protect our nation from the dangers posed by illicit arms.

    Read Also: Customs impounds 844 rifles, 112,500 ammunition, drugs

    “The NCCSALW will ensure that these weapons are properly documented and destroyed to prevent them from ever posing a threat to our society.”

    Kokumo emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between the NCCSALW and the NCS, as well as other security agencies, to effectively combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

    He expressed appreciation to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his “steadfast support and guidance in the Centre’s mission to create a safer Nigeria.”

  • JUST IN: Customs parades N13.9bn arms impounded in Rivers

    JUST IN: Customs parades N13.9bn arms impounded in Rivers

    It was a scary sight on Monday, July 1, as the Nigeria Customs Service paraded a shipment of arms ammunition originating from Turkey it impounded in Rivers state.

    The customs said the assorted weapons were worth over N13.9bn.

    Speaking at the Onne Port in Rivers State, the Controller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed that the 40-foot container with registration number MAEU165396 arrived from Türkiye.

    He said the customs monitored the entire process until the container was intercepted in Rivers

    Read Also: Customs generates N126b from LFTZ, Kwara

    He said the service seized the container when the importer attempted to circumvent protocol.

    He stated on inspection, it was found loaded with 844 units of rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.

    Details shortly…

  • Senate observes minute silence in honour of late Customs officer Essien

    Senate observes minute silence in honour of late Customs officer Essien

    The Senate on Thursday, June 27, observed a minute silence in honour of the late Deputy Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Etop Andrew Essien.

    Essien had on Tuesday, June 25, slumped while making a presentation before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts and later passed on at the National Assembly Clinic where he was taken for medical attention.

    Read Also: Minimum Wage: Tinubu to attend NEC meeting today

    The late Customs officer was in charge of Revenue and Excise of the NCS.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio who expressed dismay at the incident said the investigation is ongoing to unravel what happened.

  • EXPLAINER: Why people suddenly slump and die

    EXPLAINER: Why people suddenly slump and die

    Recently, Essien Etop Andrew, the deputy comptroller in charge of revenue at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), slumped and died while responding to questions at the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives.

    In February, no fewer than five Nigerians lost their lives while watching the intense semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d‘Ivoire.

    The wave of sudden death syndrome has raised concerns. ‘Dying without any sign or illness’ seems to be on the rise in our society.

    There are many Nigerians who walk around believing they are healthy but they are not. Many people do not even know that they have high blood pressure and sometimes, it doesn’t really show any symptoms so it causes sudden death.

    There are so many physical reasons why someone may just slump and die. It could be due to lack of exercise, not eating the right foods, smoking, as well as other reasons.

    Experts have revealed that for anybody to slump and die, two vital organs of the body must be involved. These are the heart and the brain.

    The heart is a major organ that has to function optimally, and during intense physical activities, the heart works more, pumping blood adequately to support the brain.

    The tragedy of these calamities is that most people are not aware that they have hypertension and diabetes – the two conditions that predispose people to suffer stroke or heart attack and kidney diseases.

    People are increasingly dying of treatable diseases due to ignorance, unholy deception and misinformation. These are preventable health issues.

    The most important thing is for people to go for checkups regularly. Most importantly, if you have a family history of heart problems or other health conditions, go for a regular checkup.

    The important way to live healthily is to go for a checkup, live healthily and avoid smoking, excessive alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive consumption of unhealthy foods.

    Read Also: Customs officer slumps, dies during Reps hearing

    Causes of slumping and dying

    Sudden death is most often caused by heart disease. When blood vessels narrow, the heart muscle can become irritated because of a lack of blood supply.

    In a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), a blood vessel becomes completely blocked by a blood clot, and there is enough irritability of the muscle to cause ventricular fibrillation.

    In fact, the reason many people with chest pain are admitted to the hospital is to monitor their heart rate and rhythm for signs that might lead to ventricular fibrillation. Sudden death may also be the first sign or symptom of heart disease.

    Congestive heart failure and heart valve problems, like aortic stenosis which is narrowing of the aortic valve also increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

  • Nigeria Customs under Adeniyi

    Nigeria Customs under Adeniyi

    • By Adeyinka Adedeji

    It is 133 years since the Nigeria Customs Service was established. A colonial construct, it shares a lot with some of its peers, like the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Army, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and several other public institutions.

    However, arguably more than any of the others, it has had to deal with serial changes: changes in its enabling laws, changes in purpose, changes in structure, changes in strategy, changes in personnel, and many more. In the annals of Nigeria’s history, Customs and change are synonymous.

    At inception in 1891, over two decades before the Amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates and the Colony of Lagos to form Nigeria in 1914, it was saddled solely with revenue collection. This changed in 1945 when the role of border policing, to prevent smuggling and associated activities, was added to its function. Since then, the Nigeria Customs Service has gone through several other changes, including movement of its supervising ministry from Finance to Internal Affairs and back to Finance.

     That theme of change continued under President Muhammadu Buhari. For the eight years that he was in office, he placed the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of a retired Nigerian soldier, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd). It was the first time in more than three decades that “an outsider” was brought in to superintend over this important national institution. Despite his military mien, Colonel Ali’s tenure was not devoid of controversy; from his long running brickbat with the National Assembly over his refusal to wear the NCS uniform, to dwindling staff morale at the top echelon, and the $3.1 billion Customs Modernisation Project that has been hobbled by multiple litigations.

    It was against this background that President Bola Tinubu, less than a month after assuming office, appointed Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to the position of Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC). A career Customs Officer, Adeniyi had risen through the officer cadre of the Service, holding important positions across different specialities. At different times, he was the Public Relations Officer of the NCS; Area Controller at the nation’s principal gateway, the Murtala Muhammed Airport; and Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College. All these gave him the multi-disciplinary professional exposure and experience that are critical to lead the NCS. Clearly, Adeniyi came well prepared for the position of CGC.

    But it is one thing to come well prepared for the job. It is another to deliver on the job. Over the one year that he has been in office, that is what Adewale Adeniyi has done – deliver on the job! Despite the headwinds that have stalled much of the nation’s economy, the performance results of the Nigeria Customs under Adeniyi have been remarkably stellar.

    Take revenue generation, arguably its most critical task. In one year, the NCS under Adeniyi has nearly doubled its revenue, from N2.6 trillion (June 2022 to May 2023) to N4.5 trillion in the following 12 months. That is a 74% increase. Even more impressive, there is a 70% increase in average monthly revenue, which is evidence of a constant push for improvements and excellence. For the Tinubu government that is desperately searching for financial resources to meet pressing demands, the NCS has come through.

    Read Also: Senate mourns Customs Officer’s death in NASS 

    In other areas, the NCS’s performance in the one year under Adeniyi’s leadership has been no less exceptional. Its anti-smuggling efforts have seen record number of seizures at the borders, ranging from arms and ammunition, pharmaceuticals (including fake and sub-standard products), rice and other grains. The resumption of petroleum smuggling, initially curtailed by the removal of fuel subsidy at the start of the Tinubu administration, is now being met with improved surveillance and enforcement. This has already yielded fruit, with nearly three million litres of petrol seized so far.

    Perhaps the best measure of the impact of the Comptroller-General is in the meteoric rise of the NCS in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) ranking. When he assumed office in June 2023, the NCS was 34th on the log table of 39 federal agencies and parastatals, with a score of 18.53%. One year later, it is tied for 1st with a 100% score. The import of this is telling, for it shows a complete turnaround in the operations of the NCS with a renewed focus on trade facilitation. In a competitive world where ease of doing business is key to driving foreign direct investment, the NCS is clearly doing its part for Nigeria.

    Yet the last one year has not been smooth sailing. There was the stampede that resulted from the distribution of rice, an unfortunate outcome of an altruistic gesture to alleviate the plight of citizens. There remains also the challenge of gaining the public’s utmost confidence in the anti-corruption fight. The modernisation project remains stuck in the law courts, thereby hindering the NCS from maximising technology to improve its efficiency. All these and more are challenges that the Comptroller-General must continue to seek and implement innovative solutions, to complement his efforts on the core mandate of the NCS.

    For now, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has proven to be a right peg in the rounded hole of the Nigeria Customs Service. In him, Officers and Men of the Customs have a leader who deeply loves the institution and represents their yearnings and aspirations. The impact of his one year in office has shown that he is doing his very best to position the NCS to meet and surpass the expectations of the country, and the demands of a technology-driven world. A definite plus for the government and people of Nigeria!

    • Adedeji is a business executive and writes from Lagos.
  • Senate mourns Customs Officer’s death in NASS 

    Senate mourns Customs Officer’s death in NASS 

    The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise Duties has commiserated with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over death of Etop Andrew Essien,  Deputy Comptroller,  at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    Essien died while he was making a presentation before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Isah Jibrin (APC – Kogi East), in a statement said the death of Essien was shocking, more so while performing a national duty at the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Customs officer dies while attending House of Reps committee hearing

    “That the deceased died while carrying out important assignment before the House Committee on Public Accounts shows that he gave his all to  Nigeria generally and the Nigeria Customs in particular.

    “The  service of such a dedicated public officer must definitely not be allowed to go in vain.

    “On behalf of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Duties, I commiserate with the Comptroller – General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, entire officers and men of customs and most importantly, the family of the deceased.

    “I pray God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and his family, the fortitude to bear the sudden and irreparable loss,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Customs officer dies while attending House of Reps committee hearing

    JUST IN: Customs officer dies while attending House of Reps committee hearing

    A senior Customs officer appearing before the House Committee on Public Accounts developed health complications on Monday, June 25, and died at the National Assembly clinic.

    The official, whose name could not be identified immediately, was rushed to the National Assembly clinic where first aid responders were said to have attended to him, but could not survive.

    The spokesman of the House, Akintunde Rotimi, confirmed the development but said the name of the Customs officer was being kept confidential as a sign of respect for his family.

    Rotimi in the statement said: “It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm the passing of an esteemed official of the Nigeria Customs Service who was at the National Assembly for an engagement with a House Committee.

    “During the engagement, which occurred around 1.00 pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the official developed sudden health complications. Despite the immediate and diligent efforts of first responders and medical personnel at the National Assembly Clinic, he unfortunately passed away.

    Read Also: Customs commits to removal of barriers against early clearance of medical goods at ports

    “Out of respect for the family, the official’s name will not be disclosed at this time.

    “The House of Representatives extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased during this difficult time. We recognize the significant contributions he made to the Nigeria Customs Service and our nation.

    “The House of Representatives stands ready to support efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and is cooperating fully with all relevant authorities to ensure all necessary protocols are followed.

    “The speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD., expressed his condolences, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a dedicated public servant. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.”

    He said further information will be provided as it becomes available while asking for patience and respect for the privacy of the family during this period of mourning.