–-intercepts cannabis, tramadol, rice, vehicles, elephant tusks, other prohibited goods

Funso Olojo, Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), Ikeja-Lagos, has dealt a heavy blow to smuggling and revenue fraud, intercepting 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of N3.24 billion and recovering N728.98 million in lost revenue.

The seizures, recorded through a series of intelligence-driven operations, highlight the escalating battle by the Customs Service to shut down illicit trade routes, protect domestic production and plug revenue leakages arising from false declarations, under-valuation and other customs infractions.

Among the major seizures were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg and 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg.

The Unit also intercepted 240,000 tablets of Tramadol, 12,000 tablets of Hypnox and 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, alongside 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), representing 24,100 litres.

Other items seized include 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil, 686 cartons of foreign poultry products, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled goods.

The Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, said the N728.98 million revenue recovery represented an important component of the Unit’s enforcement mandate, particularly its efforts to recover government revenue lost through fraudulent trade declarations.

Aliyu warned importers, exporters and licensed customs agents against deliberate attempts to short-change the government, urging them to make accurate declarations and comply fully with applicable customs laws and regulations.

He said the Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate commerce but would show no mercy to operators involved in smuggling, revenue evasion and other forms of economic sabotage.

According to him, the latest seizures demonstrate the importance of intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration and intelligence fusion in dismantling sophisticated smuggling networks.

He attributed the Unit’s operational successes to improved intelligence capabilities and cooperation from sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities and members of the public.

Beyond the revenue implications, the seizures have significant economic and public-safety consequences.

The interception of foreign rice, poultry products, vegetable oil, used clothing, tyres and foreign-used vehicles is expected to provide additional protection for local manufacturers and producers already battling the effects of illicit imports.

Similarly, the seizure of large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, crystal methamphetamine and other controlled substances underscores the Customs Service’s growing role in preventing the movement of illicit drugs and potentially harmful pharmaceutical products through Nigeria’s trade corridors.

The recovery of the elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s contribution to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and the protection of endangered species.

Aliyu, however, stressed that FOU ‘A’ was not at war with legitimate trade, insisting that its enforcement strategy was built around striking a balance between strong border control and trade facilitation.

He assured compliant traders that the Service remained committed to a fair, predictable and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance posture towards smuggling and revenue fraud.

The Customs boss called for stronger partnership with the business community and the general public, noting that sustained intelligence sharing and vigilance were critical to consolidating the gains recorded in revenue recovery, border security, public safety and economic protection.

He said the NCS, through FOU ‘A’, would continue to align its enforcement operations with the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade and blocking the circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter

The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has commended the far-reaching reforms being implemented by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, describing them as evidence of prudent investment of government resources to reposition the Service for greater efficiency, transparency and improved service delivery.

The commendation came on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a two-day retreat organised by the NCS in collaboration with the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise to strengthen legislative oversight and review the Nigeria Customs Service Act.

As part of the retreat, members of the Committee toured the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja, where they were briefed on the Service’s ongoing modernisation programmes, technology-driven operations and institutional reforms.

Speaking after the tour, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise, Senator Isah Jibrin, said the visit offered lawmakers an opportunity to witness first-hand the transformation taking place within the NCS.

“We have heard about these reforms from afar, but today we have seen them ourselves.

“The transformation taking place in the NCS is remarkable, particularly in the deployment of technology, modern infrastructure and operational innovations that are repositioning the Service for greater efficiency,” he said.

Jibrin said the retreat had also enabled members of the Committee to gain a clearer understanding of how appropriated funds were being utilised by the Customs Service.

“When the NCS comes before the National Assembly seeking approval for capital expenditure, we now have a clearer understanding of what those resources are being used for.

“The reforms we have seen today clearly demonstrate that government funds are being invested responsibly to strengthen Customs operations, improve trade facilitation and enhance national revenue,” he stated.

Responding, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, attributed the progress recorded by the Service to the deliberate deployment of technology across various aspects of Customs administration and operations.

He said technology had become central to the NCS strategy for improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.

“Technology helps us to work faster and more efficiently. We started by deploying digital solutions into personnel administration, postings, staff matters and pensions before extending them to our core operational responsibilities, and we will continue until virtually every aspect of Customs operations is technology-driven,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs chief also highlighted the deployment of advanced technology in the Service’s enforcement operations, including virtual shooting simulators, geospatial intelligence and digital surveillance systems.

“We are deploying geospatial intelligence to map our patrol routes and position our checkpoints more efficiently across the country.

“Combined with modern training facilities such as our virtual shooting range, these innovations will significantly strengthen our enforcement capabilities,” he explained.

Adeniyi further disclosed that several of the Service’s modernisation initiatives were backed by provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, stressing that the NCS remained committed to implementing reforms that align its operations with the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda.

“The law requires us to modernise our operations. Initiatives such as the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, Advance Ruling, Time Release Study, scanner deployment and other technology-driven reforms are all backed by the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.

“Our responsibility is to continue implementing them to support the Federal Government’s reform agenda,” he said.

The Senate Committee’s commendation is expected to further strengthen legislative support for the NCS modernisation programme as the Service intensifies efforts to leverage technology, strengthen enforcement, facilitate legitimate trade and boost revenue generation.

The retreat also provided an avenue for lawmakers and Customs management to deepen their understanding of the operational realities of modern Customs administration and the legislative framework required to sustain ongoing reforms.

Funso Olojo, Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called on the Senate to amend critical provisions of the 2023 Customs Act to bring Nigeria’s customs administration in line with rapidly evolving global trade practices and strengthen the Service’s operational capacity.

The appeal was made at a retreat organised by the NCS for members of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs on August 5, 2026, where lawmakers were briefed on the Service’s ongoing modernisation programme and the need for stronger legislative oversight and statutory support.

Speaking at the retreat, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, urged the lawmakers to review the legal framework governing customs administration, arguing that Nigeria’s trade laws must evolve alongside emerging trends in international commerce and customs management.

Adeniyi said effective legislative oversight could only be achieved when lawmakers had a comprehensive understanding of the changing nature of customs operations and the reforms being implemented by the Service.

He explained that the retreat was designed to bridge existing information gaps and provide members of the Senate committee with a clearer understanding of the transformation taking place within the NCS.

According to him, such understanding would enable the lawmakers to provide informed oversight and the statutory backing required to sustain the Service’s modernisation agenda.

“While some provisions had worked as intended, others had proved difficult to apply or had been overtaken by the rapidly changing trade environment.

“We are requesting considerable amendments to ensure the Act remains relevant to fast-moving trade policies and supports the Service’s modernisation agenda,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss stressed that although the Service currently enjoys strong support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NCS Board under the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, lasting reforms require statutory protection that goes beyond the tenure of any particular administration.

He said legislative amendments would provide the institutional stability required to consolidate the gains of the ongoing reforms and ensure that future administrations could build on the foundation already being laid.

Highlighting the breadth of the NCS modernisation programme, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Tijani Abbey, outlined several initiatives being implemented to transform customs administration.

Among them are the deployment of the indigenous B’Odogwu Trade Management System, intelligence-driven post-clearance audits, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, coordinated border management and end-to-end digital process integration.

These initiatives, he explained, are aimed at improving revenue collection, facilitating legitimate trade, reducing human intervention in customs processes and strengthening national security.

The reforms are also expected to enhance transparency, improve compliance and make Nigeria’s trading environment more competitive by aligning customs procedures with international best practices.

Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs, Senator Isah Jibrin, commended the NCS for surpassing its revenue targets despite the operational challenges confronting the Service.

Jibrin assured the Customs management that the National Assembly was prepared to provide the legislative support required to consolidate the Service’s achievements and address identified constraints.

“What you need to do is to identify your challenges, try to address them as much as possible, so as to have a much more robust, inclusive, and beyond-budget performance. Where you require legislative backing, please do not hesitate to call on us,” Jibrin advised.

The Senate committee chairman also congratulated Adeniyi on his re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, describing the feat as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration and international trade.

The retreat therefore marked a significant step towards closer collaboration between the NCS and the legislature, particularly at a time when Nigeria is seeking to modernise its trade architecture, increase revenue mobilisation and improve the efficiency of its borders and ports.

For the Customs Service, the proposed amendment of the Act is not merely about changing outdated provisions but creating a legal framework capable of supporting a technology-driven, intelligence-led and globally competitive customs administration.