Customs

Bloodbath at Ogun as Customs, smugglers engage in gun duel

Eyewitness reporter
There was pandemonium on Saturday at Kobape village, along Abeokuta – Sagamu expressway in the Obafemi – Owode local government area of Ogun State when dare-devil smugglers engaged the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service in a fierce gun battle which eyewitness said left about seven persons dead while unspecified numbers of people sustained varying degree of injuries.

It was gathered that the franca was allegedly ignited by the suspected smugglers who unleashed terror on Customs operatives from the Federal Operation Unit (F.O.U) who were on routine enforcement operation in the area.

The bloody clash, which started around 5 p.m on Saturday evening, left commuters and motorists stranded for more than two hours when vehicular movements were halted along the expressway as motorists deserted the road for fear of being hit by stray bullets.

It was gathered that the NCS personnel had around 3 p.m on Saturday intercepted some vehicles being used by the smugglers to convey large quantities of smuggled bags of foreign rice to an unknown destination, during which one of the drivers was equally arrested and whisked away.

An eyewitness told newsmen that troubles started when the Customs’ F.O.U operatives refused to release the arrested driver, and as well rejected the settlement advances made by leaders of the smugglers.

The refusal of the NCS operatives, however, allegedly infuriated the smugglers, who later turned the bargaining to violence, shooting one of the Customs personnel to death.

It was further gathered that both sides suffered numbers of casualties in the melee that later ensued as three Customs operatives were gunned down, while four members of the smuggling syndicate also lost their lives.

It took the intervention of the combined security operatives, which included personnel of the Nigerian Army and the police to dislodge the smugglers in an intervention led by the Commissioner of Police in Ogun Command, Lanre Bankole.

In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer, FOU Zone A, Theophilus Duniya said two of the attackers lost their lives in the fracas, while two Customs operatives were wounded.

Duniya in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta said, “Customs patrol team from Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos was attacked without provocation on Saturday afternoon during an operation along Shagamu Interchange in Ogun State.

“The patrol team had intercepted twelve vehicles of different kinds, laden with bags of foreign parboiled rice, and were on their way to the government warehouse before smugglers mobilized themselves with the support of their sympathizers and attacked the team with dangerous weapons.

“During the exchange of gunfire, two of the attackers lost their lives and one suspect was arrested. Out of 12 vehicles in the convoy of the smugglers, our operatives were able to leave with 4 of them laden with smuggled foreign parboiled rice.
“The arrested suspect and the seizure have been brought to the Unit Headquarters, Ikeja”.

He added that the Ag. Controller of the Unit, Hussein K Ejibunu frowned at the avoidable loss of lives due to the unprovoked attack.

He has ordered full-scale investigations into the matter to apprehend other fleeing suspects with their smuggled wares.

He cautioned the youths to eschew violent confrontations with government operatives and be law-abiding at all times

He added that such violent attacks will never deter or threaten customs operatives from carrying out their legitimate duties.

Related Topics:Customs featured smugglers clash in Ogun

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Customs

Agricultural produce tops exports of 11,459 containers worth $986.4m through Apapa port in three months

Funso OLOJO / Gloria Odion

The export initiative programme of the present government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gradually gathering momentum as 11, 459 containers of export goods passed through Apapa ports in the first quarter of 2025.

This export goods were 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the corresponding period of 2024.

The export goods, facilitated by the Lilypond export command of the Nigeria Customs service, was worth a whooping sum of $986.4m.

This amount was 300 per cent higher than $236.087m total value of exports which passed through the command in the corresponding period of 2024.

These figures showed an increase of $750.357m representing over 318 percent improvement in value over the corresponding period of 2024.

Addressing the press in his office while giving account of the export activities in the first quarter of 2025, Area Controller of the Lilypond export terminal, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, revealed that agricultural products of 2723 containers valued at $596.887m topped the pack.

This was followed by manufactured goods of $134.649m, solid minerals of $87.498 m and other category of exports valued at $18.156m.

“On the volume of trade, the command handled a total of 11,459 containers in the first three months of 2025 which is 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the first quarter of 2024

“We classified the exports into four Agricultural products, manufactured products, solid minerals and others.

“Agricultural produce forms the highest with a total value of $596.887.111.51. This was followed by manufactured goods, which amounted to $329,915,256.,6, while solid minerals were 550,149,763.41. Others amounted to $9,488,166.26.

Agricultural produce for the first quarter of last year was $542,916.347.5,7 manufactured goods $134,649,364,25, solid minerals $87,498,802,44 and others $18,156,786.87.

“In the first quarter of 2025, our cumulative export value amounted to $986,440,397,78. This is more than 300 per cent higher than the $2.36,087,888.53 total value of exports through this command in the first quarter of 2024.

“Comparatively, this shows an increase of $750,352,509.25 representing over 318 per cent improvement in the value.”

Compt. Odusanya stated that the command recorded N7.13 billion under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS).

He also disclosed that the command strengthened collaboration with exporters by operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.

“Under NESS, which is a statutory payment to the Federal Government on all legitimate goods exported from Nigeria, the command recorded N7,131,463,779.25.

“The Q1 2025 NESS is almost 0.9 per cent higher than the N7,067,351,977.1 recorded under the scheme through our command performance in the first three months of 2024.

“The NCS as a service and the command in particular cannot work in isolation.

” We have always maintained robust engagements with our critical stakeholders and worked strategically with sister government agencies like the NDLEA, SON, NAQS, Police, NAFDAC and others.”

“In addition to collaborating with sister government agencies, I have strengthened our relationship with exporters through operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.”

“I am pleased to announce that user experiences of the LEXC under my watch have continually improved with the prospects of attracting more exporters to the Command and thereby contribute in no small way, the federal government drive for economic diversification through Export.

“Some Nigerian Exporters were among those celebrated by the service three months ago during the formal launch of the authorized economic operator (AED) scheme. For us, this is a testament to the growth of export in the country, especially those using Lagos ports to ship out their goods,” Compt. Odusanya declared.

Customs

Silent jubilation as Comptroller Kola Oladeji is removed as FOU, Zone A boss.

— redeployed to Headquarters

– replaced by Comptroller Shuaibu

–authority spurns his lobby to stay

Funso OLOJO

An air of relief pervaded the entire ambiance of the Federal Operations Unit(FOU), Zone A, Lagos , when the news of the removal of its Controller, Comptroller Kola, filtered in.

The officers, who had silently endured the one -year maximum rule of the Customs chief with philosophical calmness, could barely restrain their effusive joy at the redeployment of the Customs’ Controller.

The Comptroller General of Customs(CGC) Adewale Adeniyi had approved the redeployment of Comptroller Oladeji to the Abuja Headquarters of the service while Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu was redeployed from Idiroko command to replace Oladeji .

It would be recalled that Comptroller Adedeji took over the reins of affairs at the FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja from Compt Kehinde Hussein Ejibunu On April 21, 2024.

Some of the officers who spoke to our reporter on strict condition of confidentiality for fear of reprisal, claimed that the one year rule of Comptroller Adedeji at the FOU U, Zone A, was marked with alleged high- handedness, intimidation and tensed atmosphere due to what they described as his unorthodox administrative style.

” He administered the unit like a maximum ruler with unfriendly miens and larger – than – life attitude. He behaved like an emperor.

“Anytime he was around, the atmosphere was always tensed .

“Most of the officers, especially the senior ones, were barely tolerating him due to the command structure in the service.

” His deployment was a huge relief for us in the unit” an officer declared.

Comptroller Adedeji was also known for the shabby manner he treated journalists whom he always regarded as intruders.

He courted few journalists out of necessity whom he used to give visibility to the activities of the unit.

He however kept majority of the news hoods at arms length.

Generally, he exhibited undisguised disdain for the media practitioners for fear of exposure.

Some stakeholders, especially importers and their agents, also bemoaned the tenure of Comptroller Adedeji whom they accused of anti- trade activities through the operations of his men on the road.

” They often seized containers duly examined and released from the ports and wilfully taken to their office.

” When they got there, they will accuse you of carrying contraband and insisted on reexamining the containers.

” Often times, nothing indiscriminating would be found in most of these held containers.

” Despite that, you can’t get your containers out without parting with something.

” If you refused to do the needful, your containers will remain in their custody.

” Because most importers detest delays, they were often forced to part with something in order to get their goods out of the unit.

“This act of extortion was rampant under the tenure of the Controller” a freight forwarder based on Tin Can Island port alleged.

Despite his shortcomings, the unit under Comptroller Adedeji recorded an appreciable seizure of contraband and smuggled goods.

However, his alleged shortcomings obliterated his supposedly appreciable efforts as the estwhile helmsman of FOU, Zone A, Lagos.

He would surely not be missed by majority of people, including some of his officers, importers, freight forwarders and maritime journalists.

It was also gathered that his spirited effort to lobby the authority to stay as the Unit’s head fell flat on its face as he had allegedly stepped on many powerful toes due to his abrasive behavior.

Customs

KLT Customs laments low volume of trade at the command

— seeks assistance of ANLCA to market the underutilized facility

Funso OLOJO

The Area Controller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria customs service, Comptroller Joy Edelduok has made a passionate appeal to the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to assist in reviving the struggling command by marketing the terminal to importers for patronage.

This appeal follows the lamentation of Comptroller Edelduok that importers have abandoned the terminal which has resulted to low activities and miserly revenue.

The Customs’ chief was addressing the leadership of ANLCA, led by its National President, who was in her office to introduce the newly elected KLT chapter executives of the association led by Ahmed Olajide.

Comptroller Edelduok told his guests that out of 13 bonded warehouses under the control of the KLT customs command, few are functional as the rest are moribund, struggling for survival.

This, the Customs Controller said ,was responsible for the megre sum of N38 billion revenue collected in the first quarter of 2025, an amount collected by Apapa customs command in two days.

She therefore begged for the intervention of the ANLCA leadership to talk to their Importers for patronage.

According to her, without the active participation of ANLCA and other stakeholders, the Customs would not be able to achieve its target.

“I want to say that without the active participation of our stakeholders, the agents, the associations, i’m not sure we’ll be able to achieve our revenue goals.

“So, i want to say thank you for the cooperation we’ve had thus far.

“And coming today, i want to make an appeal for continued cooperation, continued collaboration, which is one of the main policy thrusts of our CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi”

Comptroller Edelduok acknowledged the importance of the role ANLCA plays at the command, even as she pledged a better working relationship with the new Executives of KLT Chapter led by its Chairman, Ahmed Olajide Bello.

On trade facilitation, Compt Edelduok appealed to the ANLCA team to canvass their importers to make use of KLT command as Port of destination, assuring of 24 -hour cargo delivery.

She also urged the agents and importers to make genuine and honest declarations at all times, in order to ensure faster cargo clearance.

“I want to make an appeal, we know that you are the ones that interface with your importers, we don’t know your importers, you are the ones that we know, so you are the ones that will take the word back to them to bring their consignment to KLT” she said.

Also speaking, ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, introduced his KLT executives to the Customs Comptroller, saying that the association has returned to take its pride of place after suffering a five years internal crisis in 2018.

“We are here to introduce to you our new executives of the chapter, we have gone through some issues in ANLCA for some years since 2018, through the intervention of the CGC, we are now one big united family.

” The ANLCA you used to know is back, and we have taken black our rightful place” he said

Emenike assured the customs boss that the association would embark on a Crusade and champion the movement of cargoes to KLT Command, even as he commended the leadership style of the Comptroller.

“Our duty is to market commands, you cannot talk to the importers, no matter what you tell them, the importer would listen to us more than you.

“We have been on the issue of transire for a very long time, it is unfortunate that it is an internal issue between the officers of Customs.

“If you as next door neighbour to the ports are complaining, you can imagine what the inland terminals are going through on this transire.

“The importer has rights to dictate where his cargo should go to, you cannot impose it on him.

“For an importer or agent to choose a particular port, there must be something they are getting there. In this our business, speed of clearance is important, whoever enters the market first would determine price before others.

” Please keep up the good work you are doing at the command”

“Trade facilitation is important, everything should not be about revenue.

” If infraction is something you can overlook, please overlook it and caution the agent.

“The officers should please take it easy with an average agent, we are going through a whole lot” he appealed

On the aspect of making honest declarations, the ANLCA President pledged to continue sensitising agents and importers across board on the need to ensure honest declarations.

“The speed of the Cargo clearance cannot be what it ought to be if the declaration is not right, we are sensitising our importers and members on the need to always make honest declarations” he said

Speaking in the same vein, the Vice National President of ANLCA, Prince Segun Oduntan,assured the KLT Customs boss that the association would now put efforts in ensuring that containers are stemmed to the command.

“On the stemming of containers to this command, we are going to put our own effort into it.

“As per the issue of delays in transires, since you have assured us, I can now tell my importer to use KLT, let us try them out, even if it is with ten containers.

“After this, we would continue to tell others.

“The atmosphere here is very good, when you have women in management positions, we believe things go better. As we step out of here today, we would do more to assist you” he said

Speaking when the visitation train moved to the KLT Chapter Secretariat, the chapter Chairman, Ahmed Olajide Bello, appreciated the ANLCA President for his unwavering support and leadership, adding that “Your presence here today underscores the importance of this chapter to the broader ANLCA vision.

“To our esteemed stakeholders and our members, we appreciate your collaboration and we look forward to strengthen our participation for smoother trade facilitation at KLT Chapter

“To our terminal operators and government agencies, your role in port operations is indispensable and we are committed to fostering an harmonious working relationship with you all.

“This new executive is aware of the responsibilities before us, our mission is to clear, promote trade efficiency, compliances, and stakeholder collaboration at KLT terminal.

“With your support, we are confident of achieving remarkable progress” Olajide stated.

Addressing members at the Secretariat, the ANLCA National President, Emenike Nwokeoji also urged the members to work together in peace and support the new Executives, adding that no leader can function beyond the support given to him by members.

“I have no doubt that Ahmed Olajide Bello and his team would leave a mark at this chapter, and at the end of their tenure, you would even plead with them to stay longer.

“Please, count on our support, one of the support we would give you, is to get a Secretariat that is befitting of a 71- year old association that ANLCA is”