Customs

Why we adopted direct auction sale for scrap vehicles—-Customs

seized vehicles waiting to be auctioned

The Eyewitness reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service has explained the reason why it recently disposed of scrap vehicles under its control through the direct auction sale method.

In an exclusive interview with our reporter, the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, explained that no sane person could purchase those damaged vehicles for use except those who melt them into metal as raw materials.

” Yes, the vehicles we auctioned through direct sales were all scraps. They are vehicles used by smugglers which are purposely built for their nefarious activities.

“These vehicles are damaged beyond repairs and the service could not upload such vehicles on its auction portal to the general public.

“That was why we sold them directly at very ridiculously low prices to iron smelting companies who will melt them into iron.

“These vehicles litter all our commands in the country and are constituting an environmental nuisance.

“So we needed to evacuate them from those places for the safety of our officers who are constantly being faced with the danger of attacks from snakes and other dangerous reptiles which hide under the cover of these scrap vehicles”, Bomodi declared.

He said his explanation was meant to clarify what he described as false information and misconception being peddled to the public by auctioneers.

The auctioneers have accused the Customs of branding about 6000 seized vehicles as scraps before selling them off at cheap prices to their cronies.

The aggrieved auctioneers have further claimed that the Customs conducted the auction of the vehicles without open competitive bidding as it’s enshrined in the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act, 2007.

“So far, about 6,000 vehicles have been sold to their cronies through the so-called direct auction allocation.

“The vehicles, which could have fetched the government huge revenue, were sold as scraps at giveaway prices.

“We all know that it is a ploy to enrich their favoured contractors at the expense of the government.

” The government is being denied the revenue it would have realised from open competitive auctions.

” If this government is serious, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali should be answering tough questions from either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the National Assembly by now,” the Auctioneers claimed.

They further alleged that instead of selling the confiscated goods through public auctions as mandated by the law, the NCS had been selecting the dealers it sells to.

“What the BPP Act says
Section 55 (3) (5) of the BPP Act stipulates that open competitive bidding shall be the primary source of receiving offers for the purchase of any public property offered for sale.

“For the purposes of this Act, public property is defined as resources in the form of tangible and non-tangible assets (ranging from serviceable to the unserviceable).

“According to a letter from the NCS to a company, AMEX West Africa Limited and dated March 25, 2022, with reference number: NCS/ADM/MGT/012/S.2/C, signed by the Chairman, Direct Disposal of Scraps Committee, Comptroller A.D Sanusi, titled, ‘Direct auction allocation of scrap vehicles and other items,’ it was indicated therein that 338 vehicles were sold for N3,380,000 through direct auction allocation in Abuja.

It read, ‘’I am directed to inform you that the Comptroller-General of Customs, acting on the provisions of Customs and Exercise Management (Disposal of goods) Act, CAP C46, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, hereby allocates the under-listed 338 lots of various scrap vehicles domiciled at Katsina State Area Command to your company as auction sales for the purpose of disposal, smelting and fabrication into raw materials for production valued at N3,380,000 only.

“All vehicles disposed of must be evacuated from the premises within 10 working days after payment or risk forfeiture.

” Furthermore, you are to note the following: Application for replacement of allocated vehicles would not be entertained. All allocation letters transferred or sold by the allottee to a third party shall be at the buyer’s risk.’’

However, Bomodi stated that the auctioneers were only being mischievous and clever by half in their claims as the vehicles auctioned through the direct disposal method were actually scraps and not branded as such.

He disclosed that Customs still conducts open bidding auction exercises on its auction portal.

“The last time we conducted the auction of serviceable vehicles on our portal was early this year and another round of the exercise will soon be conducted” he disclosed.

Related Topics:Customs on scrap auction featured

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Apapa Customs records major breakthrough in anti- smuggling operations.

– intercepts 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals, other contraband goods worth N6.38billion

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a huge success in its relentless war against traders of illicit products when its officers intercepted 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals and other contraband goods.

Unveiling the contraband goods at the APM Terminals,Apapa port on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the intercepted consignments are worth over N6.38 billion.

Adeniyi, while speaking with Journalists, revealed that the interception and seizures were made possible through intelligence-driven operations supported by cargo scanning technology and targeted physical examination.

He explained that officers detected irregular cargo profiles during routine scanning procedures, prompting detailed physical inspections that uncovered several prohibited and falsely declared consignments.

According to him, among the seizures was a 40-foot container loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets.

Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers filled with unregistered pharmaceutical products, including Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate.

In another discovery, a 20-foot container carrying 800 cartons of codeine was found carefully concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.

Other pharmaceutical seizures included cartons of Artesunate injections, while a separate container was discovered to contain restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches imported without the required End User Certificates.

The Service also uncovered multiple containers loaded with expired food items, including muffin cookies, 36,000 cans of expired energy drinks, and large quantities of expired tomato paste brands.

In addition, officers seized a 40-foot container containing 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed among luxury food flasks.

Another container was found carrying 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine hidden with electric kettles, alongside additional cartons of Co-codamol tablets.

Customs further intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 347.57 kilograms, which were concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

Adeniyi described the seizures as a major breakthrough in the Service’s ongoing crackdown on illicit trade and smuggling through Nigeria’s seaports.

He warned that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses serious risks to public health, while the smuggling of codeine-based products contributes to the growing problem of substance abuse.

The Comptroller-General emphasized that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the seized goods are liable to outright forfeiture, adding that investigations are ongoing and all persons connected to the shipments will face prosecution.

He also stressed that the Service is expanding the use of Non-Intrusive Inspection (cargo scanning) to improve cargo clearance efficiency while strengthening enforcement against high-risk consignments.

According to him, Apapa Port processes thousands of containers daily, making it one of the most strategic trade gateways in West Africa.

“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” Adeniyi stated.

He assured compliant traders that Customs enforcement is not aimed at legitimate business but at protecting Nigeria’s economy and citizens from dangerous and illegal imports.

Customs

Dera Nnadi bows out of Customs in a blaze of glory

Geraldine Samuel, Reporter

Dera Nnadi, a Deputy Comptroller- General of Customs(rtd), has dropped anchor of service in the Nigeria Customs and graceful bowed out of the agency in a blaze of glory.

In a commemorative retirement ceremony conducted by his appreciative colleagues at the Customs’ Headquarters, Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Nnadi was pulled out of the Service he has diligently served amidst glowing tributes.

Incidentally, his pull- out ceremony coincided with his 60th birthday.

Leading the management staff, men and officers of the service in paying moving tributes to the retiring Nnadi was the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who described DCG(rtd) Nnadi as an exemplary officer whose professionalism, discipline, and commitment to duty significantly strengthened the values and operational effectiveness of the NCS.

According to the CGC, the retirement ceremony provided an opportunity not only to celebrate a successful career but also to appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of officers who devote their lives to safeguarding the nation’s economic and border security interests.

He noted that Nnadi’s career reflects the core ideals of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in leadership, revenue generation and trade facilitation.

“Today is a moment of celebration and reflection. It is also an opportunity for us to thank Almighty God for the grace that has sustained our colleague throughout his years of service,” the CGC said.

The CGC also highlighted the personal and professional bond he shares with the retiree, noting that their relationship extends beyond official duties to family ties.

He expressed confidence that DCG Nnadi still possesses the energy and experience to continue contributing meaningfully to national development through academic and other professional engagements.

Members of the Service’s management team also paid glowing tributes to the retired DCG, commending his leadership qualities, integrity and mentorship.

Officers who served under him described him as a dependable leader who provided guidance and encouragement to younger personnel while strengthening the Service’s institutional capacity.

Responding to the honour, DCG Dera Nnadi (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, the management team, officers and Men of the Service for their support and cooperation throughout his career.

He described his years in the NCS as a fulfilling journey of growth, learning and service to the nation.

The ceremony featured the presentation of awards, gift items and commemorative photographs in honour of the distinguished officer.

Customs

Customs takes charge of implementation of National Single Window project

– rallies stakeholders for successful take-off

Funso OLOJO, Editor

As the preparations for the official launch of National Single Window(NSW) project on March 27th, 2026 gather momentum, the Nigeria Customs service may have been designated as the lead agency to drive the modernisation project.

This much was confirmed by the Director of the Project, Tola Fakolade who acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the NCS in the implementation process.

At one of the stakeholders sensitisation programmes in Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Fakolade declared “Our number one stakeholder is the NCS,”

“We have maintained a strong and constructive working relationship.

Customs’ participation and institutional experience are critical to the success of this project.” the project coordinator confirmed.

Confirming the lead role of the NCS, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the NSW as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.

She revealed that the NCS has been actively engaged in preparatory work for months to ensure that the framework being developed reflects operational realities and supports seamless implementation.

“This is a national project, but Customs is at the centre of its execution,” DCG Adebakin said.

“The success of the Single Window depends on collective understanding and cooperation. We must all appreciate its value because we cannot effectively promote what we do not fully understand.”

She reassured officers and stakeholders that the initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity rather than replace human resources, explaining that technology will enhance efficiency, transparency, and speed in cargo clearance and trade documentation processes.

Reaffirming the critical role of the service in the implementation of the NSW project, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Abuja stakeholders engagement with airlines and shipping companies held on March 4th, 2026, emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the successful rollout of the initiative.

He noted that the support of critical stakeholders has played a significant role in the achievements recorded in the Service’s modernisation journey so far.

Adeniyi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Service to take a bold step forward towards a successful launch of the National Single Window, a move aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in global trade.

He added that airline and shipping line operators remain vital partners in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system.

He further assured stakeholders that adequate support structures are being put in place to ease the migration process.

“A help desk with well-trained personnel will be available to address any operational challenges that may arise during the rollout”, the Comptroller-General stated.

The NCS described the National Single Window as a strategic reform that aligns with Customs’ mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and inter-agency coordination.

With the NCS spearheading coordination and stakeholder engagement, the NSW project is expected to transform Nigeria’s trade environment, enhance revenue generation, and strengthen the country’s position in the global trading community.