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Tag: NCS

  • NCS cancels import declarations made on 4% FoB charge

    NCS cancels import declarations made on 4% FoB charge

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday announced the cancellation of the declarations it made during implementation of the four per cent Free on Board (FoB) charges.

    NCS consequently urged stakeholders to recapture their entries.

    National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller -General of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada broke the news in a press statement.

    He said: “Sequel to the earlier press release announcing the suspension of the four per cent FoB charge on imports, the NCS wishes to inform stakeholders that all import declarations made during the initial implementation period have been cancelled.

    “This measure is necessary to ensure clarity, maintain consistency in customs operations, and prevent any disruptions in clearance processes. Affected importers, customs agents, and stakeholders are, therefore, required to recapture their declarations to proceed with the clearance of their goods.

    “In addition, all stakeholders affected are urged to promptly recapture their entries through the designated customs processing platforms.”

    Read Also: Abdulrazaq flags off Kwara agro input fair, recommits to food security

    He said the NCS has put measures in place to ensure the process is seamless.

    He further said Customs Commands nationwide have been directed to provide the necessary assistance and clarifications to importers and agents requiring support during this period.

     The Service, he said, remained steadfast in its commitment to implementing government fiscal policies in alignment with the provisions of the NCS Act 2023 through robust consultation and dialogue with all stakeholders.

    According to the statement, the decision to cancel previous declarations and give room for recapturing is part of the Service’s broader effort to be a public-centric organisation that ensures efficient service delivery.

    He said under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Service remains committed to demonstrating openness and transparency in its engagements with stakeholders. Traders are therefore encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to avoid any further delays in the clearance of their consignments.

  • Fed Govt recorded N66.34tr trade surplus in 2024

    Fed Govt recorded N66.34tr trade surplus in 2024

    • Generates N6.10tr revenue
    • seizes 900 arms
    • Seizes 1,716,656 litres of petroleum products
    • 55 arrested suspects under investigation

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said the country recorded N66.34trillion trade surplus last year.

    Its Comptroller -General, Adewale Adeniyi,  who spoke to reporters on activities of the NCS last year in Abuja, said during the year, the country recorded NN136.65 trillion export and N60.29 trillion import, an indication of N66.34 trillion trade surplus.

    According to him, the total trade volume in 2024 was N196.94 trillion.

    His words: “The trade performance data for 2024 reflects significant growth in trade value despite global economic headwinds.

    “The Service processed imports with a Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value of N60.29 trillion in 2024, representing a remarkable 117.4per cent increase from N27.74 trillion in 2023.

    “This was achieved through 1,262,988 import transactions, handling a total mass of 15.35 billion kilograms.

    “The higher value recorded despite an 8.2per cent decrease in transaction volume from the previous year’s 1,376,514 transactions indicates a shift towards higher-value goods in our import trade portfolio.

    “Our export trade performance was equally impressive, with the total CIF value rising significantly to N136.65 trillion in 2024 from N42.77 trillion in 2023, marking a 219.5per cent increase…The total trade value handled by the Service in 2024 amounted to N196.94 trillion, compared to N70.50 trillion in 2023, representing a 179.3per cent increase.”

    Attributing the growth to the effectiveness of trade facilitation, he said the “substantial growth in trade value, achieved with fewer but more valuable transactions, is evident of the increasing sophistication of Nigeria’s international trade and the effectiveness of our trade facilitation measures.”

    He said the NCS raked in N6.10trillion revenue from the N3.2 trillion recorded in the previous year.

    Adeniyi said: “I am pleased to announce that the Nigeria Customs Service has again recorded another unprecedented performance in revenue collection for the year 2024. The Service collected a total sum of N6,105,315,543,489.50 (Six Trillion, One Hundred and Five Billion, Three Hundred and Fifteen Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Nine Naira, Fifty Kobo), surpassing our target of N5,079,069,866,085.50 by N1,026,245,677,404.00, representing a 20.2per cent increase above the target.

    “This remarkable achievement represents a significant 90.4per cent increase from our 2023 collection of ₦3,206,583,002,675.65. The growth is historic as it marks the highest Year-on-Year increase recorded by the Service in recent times, surpassing the 52.24per cent growth recorded in 2022 by 38.18 percentage points.”

    He said the Service achieved another milestone in October 2024 by recording the highest monthly collection ever of ₦603billion.

    Adeniyi said the collections were achieved despite significant concessions granted to support various sectors of the economy, totaling ₦1.68 trillion.

    He added that the concessions comprised ₦723 billion in import duty waivers, ₦372billion in other levy concessions, and ₦586billion in import Value Added Tax (VAT) relief.

    Without the concessions, said Adeniyi, the NCS would have raked in N7.6trillion last year.

    According to him, the strategic concessions were granted to stimulate economic growth, support industrial development, and enhance the overall business environment in line with government policy objectives.

    He noted that the concession value represents a significant reduction from the ₦3,95billion recorded in 2023.

    Adeniyi said: “This reduction is a direct result of our enhanced monitoring mechanisms and strategic reforms aimed at blocking loopholes and eliminating abuses in the concession granting process, ensuring that only genuine and qualifying enterprises benefit from these incentives.

    Giving a breakdown of the revenue collection, he said the total revenue collected for 2024 comprises three main components: Federation Account Collections. The sum of ₦3,657,063,981,445.42 was collected into the Federation Account, consisting of Import Duty, Excise Duty, Fees, E-Auction proceeds, and CET Levy.

    “Non-Federation Account Levies. A total of ₦816,902,844,844.73 was collected as Non-Federation Account Levies.

    “Value Added Tax (VAT). The Service collected ₦1,631,348,717,199.35 as VAT on imports,” he said.

    He announced the approval of the establishment of the Nigeria Customs Service University, in Badagry, Lagos State, this year.

    On anti- smuggling/enforcement, Adeniyi said the NCS recorded 3,555 seizures in the year under review.

    Adeniyi said the most important among the seizures were 900 arms and 113,472 rounds of ammunition and the interception of narcotics and other illicit drugs, resulting in 105 seizures across various forms that were aided by the declaration of a state of emergency at our major entry points.

    He said: “Particularly noteworthy were the seizures of arms and ammunition, including 900 arms and 113,472 rounds of ammunition and the interception of narcotics and other illicit drugs, resulting in 105 seizures across various forms that were aided by the declaration of a state of emergency at our major entry points.

    “The Service also intercepted unauthorized pharmaceutical products, with 40 seizures including 175,676 pieces and 6,271 cartons of various medicaments valued at ₦3.04 billion, protecting public health from potentially dangerous counterfeit drugs.”

    Read Also: Taiwan canvasses expansion of bilateral trade ties with Nigeria

    He further said the operation of the Service in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recorded 1,716,656 litres of petroleum products in the year under review.

    He said the enforcement of the NCS has culminated in the arrest of 55 suspects that are now under investigation.

    Adeniyi said: “Worthy of note is the launch of operation Whirlwind with the support of ONSA and the NMDPRA under the Nigeria Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd).

    “This operation resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of petroleum products totaling 1,716,656 litres from saboteurs diverting petroleum products intended for home use to neighbouring countries. Most significantly, our enforcement activities have yielded 55 arrests of suspects currently under investigation as we continue to dismantle the criminal networks behind these activities.

    “This comprehensive approach to enforcement, aligned with both national security objectives and international obligations, positions the NCS as a crucial actor in the nation’s security architecture as we continue to facilitate legitimate trade.”

  • Ahmed Usman assumes duty as 23rd Controller of NCS in Katsina

    Ahmed Usman assumes duty as 23rd Controller of NCS in Katsina

    The newly appointed Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Ahmed Abdu Usman, has officially assumed his role as the 23rd Controller of Corrections for Katsina State.

    According to a statement from the Katsina State Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC Najib Idris Kunduru, the formal handover ceremony took place at the command’s State Headquarters in Katsina.

    Read Also: NCS to certify port operators

    He said: “The outgoing Controller of Corrections CC Muhammad Abdulmumin Haruna has been transferred to take over as the Controller of Corrections in Jigawa State Command’’.

    ‘’CC MA Haruna appreciated the staff of the command for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure in the Command, He also urged them to reciprocate such to his successor.’’

    “The incoming Controller of Corrections Ahmed Abdu Usman, is a seasoned and experienced officer who served in various formations within the service before his deployment to Katsina Command CC Ahmed served as the Controller of Corrections Adamawa State.”

    The new controller, while promising to consolidate the achievements of his predecessor, solicited the cooperation and support of the entire staff in the actualization of his mandate to the service.

  • Refrain from use of ‘tokunbo’ tyres, NCS urges Nigerians

    Refrain from use of ‘tokunbo’ tyres, NCS urges Nigerians

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, has urged Nigerians to refrain from the use of second-hand tyres, popularly known as ‘tokunbo tyres’ in order to stem incessant cases of road crashes.

    The command’s Comptroller, Mr James Ojo, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota, Ogun.

    Ojo explained that the use of such tyres was one of the factors contributing to road crashes in the state and Nigeria at large.

    The comptroller advised the public to buy new tyres rather than used ones because they would last longer and safer on the highway.

    Ojo said that though everyone understood the current economic situation in the country, he, however, stressed the need for people to do the right thing to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

    “These pneumatic tyres, popularly known as Tokunbo tyres, are deemed unsuitable for our highways because a significant number of them have exceeded their recommended lifespan from their manufacturing dates.

    Read Also: NCS generates N1.02trn in first half 2024

    “In addition, any usage beyond this duration can pose a significant risk to motorists and put their lives in jeopardy,” he said.

    The comptroller reiterated NCS’ commitment to protect local economy and safety on the roads as well as uphold the integrity of the nation’s borders.

    (NAN)

  • NCS generates N1.02trn in first half 2024

    NCS generates N1.02trn in first half 2024

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated N1.02 trillion at its Apapa Area Command in the first half of the year.

    The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos on Monday.

    He said that the figure represented a 143 per cent increase over the N421.38 billion generated during the same period in 2023.

    Olomu highlighted that the agency’s efforts at promoting and facilitating trade were yielding significant results.

    “Our efforts have been mainly targeted at preventing revenue losses, improving ease of doing business, and engaging stakeholders,” Olomu said.

    He noted that the command generated the amount in spite of a sharp reduction in trade volume.

    “We have implemented measures to prevent government revenue loss by using a blend of intelligence and community relations,” he added.

    Olomu said that during the review period, the command intercepted 11 containers of regulated items, such as expired drugs, contraband goods, and frozen birds worth N424 million, compared to 42 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.4 billion in the corresponding period of 2023.

    “These seizures were made from dishonest importers attempting to smuggle goods into Nigeria,”she stated.

    Read Also: NCS auctions seized 11,270 litres of PMS

    The News Agency reports that the command uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in three 40ft containers.

    It also uncovered  another three 40ft containers loaded with 7,580 cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption.

    Olomu explained that these smuggled items violated Schedule Three of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

    He praised the motivation and leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and thanked his men and officers for their hard work.

    The CAC attributed the command’s successes to support from sister agencies in the port, such as the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Army.

    Olomu said that in line with the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, the command has reformed the management of cargoes moving from the mother port to bonded terminals by ensuring more meticulous oversight.

    “No cargo is allowed to exit our control without thorough inspection using the scanner,” he noted.

    He assured that proper cargo inspection would not be compromised, and the command would continue to make seizures, detentions and arrests where necessary.

    This, he added, would help to protect the national economy and prevent Nigerians from exposure to dangerous or unwholesome products like illicit drugs.

    (NAN)

  • Regional integration: Nigeria,Benin Republic settle for singleentry declaration form – NCS

    Regional integration: Nigeria,Benin Republic settle for singleentry declaration form – NCS

    Nigeria and Benin Republic have agreed to have a single entry declaration form for both countries to be used for border crossing, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has said.

    This was disclosed by the  Kebbi Area Controller of NCS, Mr Iheanacho Earnest-Ojike, shortly after a meeting between the NCS and representatives of Benin Republic.

    Briefing Newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, Earnest-Ojike, recalled that on May 21, a maiden meeting between Foreign Ministers of Nigeria and Benin Republic which dwelled on bilateral talks on improving free flow of trade and commerce between the two nations was held.

    ”The meeting aimed at bringing the border crossing between Tsamiya in Nigeria and Anguwar Sule Wata in Benin Republic back to life through infrastructural development in line with the renewed hope initiative of President Bola Tinubu.

    “The meeting was also to strengthen social and economic interaction as well as expand trade and commerce between the citizens of the two countries,” he said.

    Read Also: NCS intercepts four trucks of food items in Kano

    According to him, the meeting now is in continuation and final agreement to the previous one, “as we have now agreed to have a single entry declaration form that citizens of both countries will use for border crossing.

    “Both countries are signatories to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and World Customs Organisation (WCO), which have the principles of border post,” he said.

    Earnest-Ojike added that two countries would establish a joint- border agency inspection for goods and persons, saying, “it is going to be a one-stop border post at the Segbana border.”

    The controller expressed optimism that the agreement reached would advance the course of regional integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

  • NCS targets N6tr revenue in 2024

    NCS targets N6tr revenue in 2024

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it plans to generate N6 trillion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the Federal Government next year.

    The NCS Comptroller-General, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, stated this at the 2024 budget defense before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation yesterday in Abuja.

    Adeniyi said that the cash was higher than the N5 trillion originally projected in the budget.

    “I share the optimism of increasing the revenue to N6 trillion in 2024. So, N6 trillion revenue in 2024 is possible,’’ he said.

    The Service would be able to generate the N6 trillion revenue if the Federal Government reduced concession grants in 2024.

    ‘’The new law will also help us to facilitate a number of issues that will make revenue generation possible,’’ he said.

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    He frowned at frequent import waivers by government, saying that it was one of the factors that had impeded revenue generation.

    ‘’If we can get N1.8 trillion in one year that shows the N6 trillion revenue for 2024 is achievable,” he said.

    He said many of the goods at the ports were yet to be cleared, adding that when the NCS looked into its system, a number of bill laden were not opened.

    He said when an internal audit was conducted, it showed that the NCS realised over N11 billion from that exercise, adding that there were still lots of goods yet to be cleared.

    Speaking on import duty exception, Adeniyi said it was usually a presidential order given through the Minister of Finance.

    Rep. Abubakar Bitchi, the Chairman of the Committee, commended Adeniyi for his efforts to generate more revenue for the government.

    “Is there a possibility to increase your revenue, we will be glad if you can make it N6 trillion for 2024,’’ he said.

    Bitchi said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu would not be achieved unless the revenue generating agencies increased their targeted revenue.

    He said the 2024 appropriation bill was laudable, adding that it would only materialise if there was enough money to meet the N27.5 trillion budget.

  • ‘NCS  not training ground for criminals’

    ‘NCS  not training ground for criminals’

    • By Adams Oluwatosin

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Lagos State Command has said that the service is not a training ground for hardened criminals.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, CSC Rotimi Oladokun  made the clarification in reaction to a statement credited to the State’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Idowu Owohunwa.

    The NCS described the statement as “unfortunate, misleading and unprofessional coming from a senior law enforcement officer”.

    CP Owohunwa had recently alleged that the Nigeria Correctional Centres had become training grounds for hardened criminals and reproducing criminal gangs threatening the society’s peace.

    He stated this while parading three suspects, who allegedly robbed and killed Senator Solomon Adeola’s aide, Mr. Sanni Adeniyi, at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The senior officer expressed concern over the different criminal gangs allegedly having correctional centres as breeding grounds, which was attested to by some criminals arrested over time.

    But the NCS spokeperson in Lagos, Oladokun insisted that the services being provided the inmates by the service were “exceptional services  in terms of safe and humane custody, access to justice and giving inmates regimes of treatment towards reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.”

    He said all these were achieved by the service inspite of many challenges including congestion and overcrowding of the facilities.

    He said: “Belonging to the same family of Administration  ustice, crime prevention and management is a shared and complimentary responsibility by various stakeholders which can be made more effective and efficient  by mutual respect, synergy and collaboration amongst the respective law enforcement agencies.”

     The statement added: The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command has been drawn to an online  publication where the  Commissioner of Police alleges that the Custodial Centres has been turned to a training ground for hardened criminals.

    “This assertion is rather unfortunate, misleading and unprofessional coming from a senior law enforcement officer who should have correctional literacy and give credence to the excellent and exceptional services being provided by the Nigerian Correctional Service in terms of safe and humane custody, access to justice and giving inmates regimes of treatment towards reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders inspite of many challenges including congestion and overcrowding.

    “Keeping 9400 inmates out of circulation in five facilities with total capacity for only 4167 is next to a miracle and requires support from all and sundry not blanket condemnation.

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     “For the avoidance of doubt, the NCoS has zero tolerance for all forms of unethical and unprofessional conduct on the part of both staff and inmates with appropriate sanctions including suspension, dismissal and prosecution for those found wanting.”

    Unarguably, the NCoS is discharging is statutory functions to the extent of changing and transforming the life’s  of both serving and former inmates with emperical and verifiable proofs in the areas of;

     Formal and Non – formal Educational Programmes ongoing in all our Custodial Centres with over a 1000 inmates undergoing various degrees programmes up to PhD as well as NCE and GCE .

    Vocational and entrepreneurial skills have been acquired by over 3000 inmates from our various workshops namely- Tailoring, Carpentry, Shoe making, Art work and Paint Making. Others are Music Production, Bakery,  Computer training and Cane work.

    The NCos also provides Agricultural training projects like Gardening, Fish farming and Poultry within our facilities.

    Thankfully, we have active partnership with National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency(SMEDAN) and many  (NGOs) and religious organization complimenting our training programmes.

    In area of crime prevention, the NCoS continues to share actionable intelligence with other law enforcement agencies which has led  in no small measures to crime prevention and arrest of culprits.

    Importantly, NCoS ensures that the security at our Custodial centres deters jail breaks which ultimately has ultimately has improved public safety cum national security.

    Regrettably, the misrepresentation in the assertions made by the said official has the tendency to reinforce prejudice and discrimination against former inmates which can lead to unintended consequences of recidivism and fuel crimes.

    Belonging to the same family of Administration of Criminal Justice, Crime prevention and management is a shared and complimentary responsibility by various stakeholders

    which can be made more effective and efficient  by mutual respect, synergy and collaboration amongst the respective law enforcement agencies.

  • Customs seizes smuggled items worth N10.6b

    The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized smuggled items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N10.67 billion in the first quarter of this year.

    The Controller of the unit, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed, in an interview yesterday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said the items were seized within 90 days.

    He said they included 25 assorted vehicles with a DPV of N111.06 million.

    “The command intercepted 16,117 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, 447 cartons of frozen poultry products, 594 vehicles, 42,412 kg of seven pallets of raw hide and skin as well as 2,471 cartons of alcoholic wine.

    Read also: Customs’ Q1 revenue collection hits N312.6b

    “The intercepted goods also include 710 cartons of Tramadol capsules, 510 cartons of various medications, including Chaka pain, Codeine and Rally Extra.

    “Others are 111 bags of used clothing, three sacks of footwear, 210 kegs of 25 litres of vegetable oil and 106 cartons of 5 litres vegetable oil,” he said.

    The controller said 16 suspects were arrested in connection with the total of 254 seizures recorded between January and March.

    He advised would-be car buyers to verify the authenticity of the import and clearance documents with the appropriate Customs Area Controllers (CACs) at ports, saying buyers should avoid buying smuggled vehicles.

    Mohammed, however, hailed the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali and his management team for providing the unit with necessary incentives and logistics.

    He urged the public to join the service in the fight against smuggling, considering its economic consequences to the nation and the society at large.

     

  • Customs begins interrogation of officers

    …looks into weapon handling

     

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says its officers involved in the incident that occurred along Ijebu Ode road on Sunday are being interrogated.

    Mr Joseph Attah, the Public Relations Officer of NCS made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

    A video which went viral on Social Media on Sunday showed a man, supposed passenger of a commercial bus was allegedly shot dead by a customs officer, though, it was denied by NCS, saying it was an accidental discharge.

    Attah explained that the Customs Assistant Comptroller General, Zone A, Ekekezie Kessy had on Monday visited the Federal Operations Unit in the zone at Ikeja, Lagos to interrogate the officers involved.

    He said that the investigation was to find out the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident that led to the death of an innocent citizen.

    According to him, the interrogation will also reveal if better handling of weapon will have averted the incident.

    “The officers involved are being interrogated, we look at it holistically, including weapon handling skills.

    “If the officers are found guilty, they will be punished appropriately, we will allow the investigation to take place first.

    “We still stand our ground that it is not a passenger of the bus that was deliberately shot dead but the victim was hit by the accidental discharge.

    “An audio is now trending from one of the passengers of the bus that the person that died is not one of them.

    Read Also: Customs’ ‘accidental discharge’ kills one

    “We insist that the person that died was not a passenger but a good Samaritan who used to assist our officers, we described him as a friend of Customs,’’ he explained.

    The spokesperson said that training of its personnel was a continuous process, adding that the Service often sought assistance of the military in this regard.

    “Like we said that in our statement, it is painful and totally unnecessary to lose life in anti-smuggling operations.’’

    He urged the general public to be wary of what was being posted on social media because some of those things could mislead them.