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Customs

Customs reveals full contents of intercepted gun-laden container at port.

MBA, CAC, Tin Can

Eyewitness reporter

The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has revealed the full contents of the illicit  40-feet container intercepted at one of the terminals at the port.

It would be recalled that  on Friday 17th December 2021, the operatives of Customs had stumbled on the container suspected to be carrying uncustomed goods with specific suspicion of containing pistols and some rounds of ammunition.

However the result of the initial examination was inconclusive as the exercise was terminated on the discovery of a firearm. A more thorough search of the container was ordered to uncover other arms and ammunition, if any.

However, a joint examination of the intercepted illicit import has further revealed the contents of the container.

According to the statement by the Public Relations officer of Tin Can Customs, Mr Uche Ejesieme, on Tuesday, December, 21st, 2021,four used Toyota vehicles, 53 Television sets, pistol, ammunition,  and other sundary items were  found after physical examination with the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria(son), the bomb disposal unit of the police and others.

Ejesieme said that the swift action from the command also led to the apprehension of a suspect who was kept in detention at the customs facility.

He added that a thorough investigation would lead the command to the masterminds of this illicit import for proper sanction.

“The media and the public will recall that on December 17, at exactly 16:30hrs, our operatives stumbled on a container suspected to be carrying uncustomed goods with specific suspicion of it being pistols and some rounds of ammunition.

“Earlier, we had stated that the nature of the suspected offending items and quantity was unknown since the container was immediately welded back on the instruction of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Musa.

“The container was transferred to the Customs Enforcement unit pending joint examination,” he said.

He pointed out that on December 20, a joint physical examination was conducted which comprised the DSS, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, police, others.

“The physical examination revealed: four used Toyota vehicles viz: 2005 Lexus Rx 330, 2009 Toyota Sienna and two units of 2009 Toyota Camry as well as undeclared 53 pcs of new 55″ LG Televisions and other goods.

“However, one unit of Smith and Wesson pistol of model SW40V OF 40SW CALIBRE, two packs of 50pcs each of 9mm live ammunition totalling 100pcs, were found concealed inside one of bags containing used clothes.

“Others concealed in the bag containing used clothes are one empty (expended) shell of 9mm ammunition and eight packs of 25 pcs each of 70mm (totalling 200pcs) and two empty pistol magazines,” he said.

Ejesieme noted that the importation of pistol and live ammunition was on schedule 4 part 1(absolute prohibitions).

He said that it was a clear contravention of sections 46, 47 and 161 of the Customs & Excise Management Act Cap c45 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 as amended

 

 

 

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Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious
trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.
Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.
The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.
Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.
 “For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.
He said the feat was a reflection of
the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.
Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.
 He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.
These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.
Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.
The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very  credible information shared by the CGC.
In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.
Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
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Customs

Apapa Customs, Navy deepen partnership for seamless cargo movement along Apapa port corridor 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Customs Area Controller (CAC),
Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has solicited sustained support of the Western Naval Command to ensure seamless cargo movement along the Apapa port corridor.
Comptroller Oshoba made the call on  Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, while on a courtesy visit to Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command.
The visit was meant to deepen operational collaboration in line with the three policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Speaking during the visit, the CAC stated: “The CGC has three key policy thrusts.
” The first is consolidation. On assuming duty, I resolved to consolidate on the gains already achieved and improve the existing relationship between Apapa Command and the Nigerian Navy within this axis.”
On collaboration, he noted that modern border management requires agencies to work in tandem, adding: “While Customs is known for trade facilitation and revenue generation, we also perform critical security functions.
“To achieve this mandate, we must collaborate with the military, the mother of security.”
On innovation, he added: “Innovation is doing things differently to achieve better results and strengthening inter-agency cooperation is part of that approach.”
He appreciated the Navy for securing Nigeria’s waters, stating: “No vessel can come into the country without safe waters.
” We commend you for keeping the maritime environment secure.”
In his response, Rear Admiral Mustapha acknowledged the longstanding partnership between both agencies, emphasizing: “Port security is about inter-agency and coordination. Without security, there is no development.”
He commended the Service under CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for its performance, noting: “The Customs has done exceptionally well in blocking revenue leakages and surpassing national revenue targets.
“Continue what you are doing; with more revenue, there will be more infrastructure and social safety network for the country.”
The FOC assured the Command of improved and seamless cooperation in securing the maritime domain and supporting national economic growth.
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Customs

Customs automates acquisition, renewal of licenses, permits to enhance efficiency, revenue boost.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
In order to consolidate the automation of its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service, has concluded preparations to automate the process of Licenses, Permits acquisition and renewal.
To achieve this landmark initiative, the Service has trained  its bond officers of various area commands who will drive the process.
While unveiling the automation process to stakeholders in Lagos on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, the Comptroller – General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative was driven by the desire of the Customs management to make licenses and permits acquisition and renewal less cumbersome, promote ease of doing business and boost revenue generation.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by Comptroller NJ Anozie, further expanded the benefits of the automation process.
“Automation will save importers, clearing and forwarding agents the stress of acquiring or renewing their Licenses and Permits as they would be sitting in the comfort of their offices/homes to initiate and complete the process.
“Officers and  men of License and Permit Unit, the bond seat unit of various Commands will also be saved some stress, as all their responsibilities would just be ‘clicks’ on the systems in front of their desks, as opposed to carrying loads of files from one table to another and from one office to the other.
“Automation will cut the cost of doing business and minimize movement risks for our stakeholders.
“They would no longer be jumping on buses or flights to and fro Customs Headquarters-Abuja, paying hotel bills plus feeding for days, to obtain or renew their licenses and permits.
“Automation will minimize, if not eradicate fraudulent practices in the system, as every single document that is uploaded in the course of this process will be automatically rejected by default, if it is fake and accepted if it is genuine.
 “L&P can now view assessments through the B’Odogwu to be sure that any company applying for fresh or renewal of licences or permits is not having unpaid assessments hanging on it”
The Customs boss said he was poised to sanitize the system and urged the Licences and Permits unit of the Service to be passionate in driving this initiative.
He further disclosed that the automation process will save the importers and their agents time and money which they normally expended in manual process.
Adeniyi urged the stakeholders to take advantage of this new initiative, assuring them that they would adequately be guided on how to key into the system by the bond officers who have already been trained.
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