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Trans-border fuel smuggling syndicate: Customs probes 14 officers from Adamawa command

CGC, Ali

The Eyewitness Reporter

The management of the Nigeria Customs Service has placed 14 officers from Adamawa command under in-house investigation over their alleged involvement in the smuggling of petroleum products along Nigerian borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

The officers, who had since left their duty post in Adamawa to Abuja, are expected to face a panel of inquiry by the Customs Police Unit(CPU) at the Customs headquarters Tuesday, June 13th, 2023.

In a Circular with Reference No: NCS/CPU/HQ/VOL. 10/No74 dated June 8, 2023, titled: Invitation To Report At Customs Police Headquarters and signed by B. S. Sani, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, the affected officers were ordered to report as directed.

The Circular reads ”Sequel to ongoing investigation directed by the CGC, the under listed officers are requested to report at the CPU Headquarters on the 13th of June, 2023 by 11.00 Hrs unfailingly”.

Among the officers mainly from the Adamawa State Customs Command, are Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) G. Almu with Service Number (SN) 43223; Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) G. I. Kadiri with SN 54247; Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC 1) U. T. Abdulhamid with SN 38421; ASC1 H. O. Ibraheem with SN 43599 and ASC1 A. I. Hassan with SN 50475.

Others are ASC II S. Magaji with SN 53017; ASC II I. Bashir with SN 53750; Inspector of Customs (I C) (OPS) A. Jalo with SN 47071; Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC) H. Usman with SN 45755; AIC V. P. Igbo with SN 46207; AIC G. M. Ikpene with SN 46621; AIC S. Garba with SN 45919; AIC F. Nwumfe with SN 53535 and Assistant Inspector (CAI) (T) A. Ismaila.

Our reporter gathered that the identification of the officers linked with the wanton smuggling of petrol tankers across the border may not be unconnected with the viral video posted by one Owombo Segun John, a Superintendent of Customs, who exposed the smuggling ring among the Customs officers at the Adamawa state Command.
SC Owombo, in the viral video in November 2022, has openly described how he arrested some tankers laden with refined petroleum products being smuggled across the Nigerian borders at the Malabo checkpoint on Belel Road, Adamawa state on November 2nd, 2022 into the neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.
He has also alleged official collaboration with the smugglers and intimidation in an attempt to cover up through threats to his life.
 Since the officer busted the smuggling ring, he has been branded as having an ‘unstable mind’  by the top hierarchy of the Customs which has arrested and kept in him in an open detention at the Customs headquarters since  November 2022.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Customs, Abdulahi Maiwada, confirmed that the officers are under investigation but said he was not aware of what the investigation is all about since the internal memo on the matter did not state the nature of the investigation.
 ”There is an investigation of officers on a particular issue but the issue was not disclosed in the memo. The memo is an internal document that was meant for internal consumption but was leaked.
”So it will be wrong and unprofessional of me to comment on the matter in order not to jeopardise the process of the investigation.
The public will be adequately briefed after the investigation is concluded” the Customs spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the whistle-blower, SC Owombo, has continued to languish in open detention seven months after his arrest over his expose of the smuggling ring.
In a new leaked audio, the detained officer complained of the neglect and dehumanisation as he has continued to be kept in detention for what he described as his patriotic act in exposing the smuggling ring.
He reiterated his conviction of the existence of the syndicate which he believed is outside the Customs Service but has collaborators within the service.
He said he was ready to die for the truth and did not have any regret in exposing the economic saboteurs.
Since his assumption of office, and with the removal of government subsidy on petrol, President Tinubu had vowed to deal with the problem of petrol smuggling to neiboughring countries of Chad, Niger, Benin Republic and Cameroon, among others, insisting that Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas.
on June 9th, 2023, while responding to issues raised by prominent traditional rulers on challenges facing the country when they visited him in his office, the President assured them, saying ‘‘worry not because the country is in good hands,” adding that his administration was very conscious of the expectations of Nigerians.

On the decision to remove fuel subsidy, for which various speakers at the meeting expressed support, the President appealed to the Royal Fathers to persuade Nigerians to have faith and that the pump prices of fuel will eventually come down.

‘‘I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas?”

‘‘The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing,’’ he said.

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Customs

Beer merchants panic over tax stamp policy, seeks solace from Customs

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
The proposed Tax Stamp policy of the Federal government has expectedly activated panic mode among beer industry leaders who have expressed anxiety of possible escalation in the production and consumer costs if the policy is eventually implemented.
Though, there is an ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and the government to manage the economic impact of the policy, the leaders of the brewing sector had sought more clarification on the policy from the Nigeria customs service when they engaged with the Comptroller- General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, May 11th, 2026.
The brewers have come to discuss the economic impact the proposed policy will have on their brewing business.
At the roundabout discussion, Adewale had emphasised the need for credible data, inclusive consultations and sustained stakeholder engagement in Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal and regulatory reforms.
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‎Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi stressed that policy decisions affecting strategic sectors of the economy must be guided by verifiable data and a clear understanding of prevailing market realities.
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“‎We need to have a clear understanding of what constitutes illicit trade. Some of these products are legitimately manufactured in Nigeria.
“In other jurisdictions,customs administrations are already engaging in discussions around how such products find their way across borders and into unauthorised markets” the CGC stated.
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‎He further underscored the importance of accuracy and credibility in industry data presented to policymakers, noting that sound policy formulation depends on reliable information.
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‎“One thing we need to understand more clearly is where some of these estimates came from.
“When we are making policy decisions of this nature, the credibility and accuracy of data must never be in doubt,” he added.
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‎Highlighting the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts, Adeniyi noted that the NCS has continued to introduce reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and enhancing operational efficiency across the supply chain.
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‎“We have consistently introduced initiatives aimed at facilitating trade. We introduced the Advance Ruling. We introduced the Authorised Economic Operator programme.
“We also rolled out several reforms on our own initiative, not because we were under pressure, but because we recognised the need to improve trade facilitation,” he said.
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‎On the proposed tax stamp initiative, the CGC clarified that consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing and that no final decision has been reached regarding implementation.
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‎“As far as I am concerned, consultations are still ongoing. If this initiative is legitimate and beneficial, then we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are heading in the right direction,” he stated.
‎He also encouraged private-sector operators to maintain constructive engagement with relevant government agencies to ensure that any eventual policy framework balances revenue protection with industrial sustainability and economic growth.
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‎Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma, said the visit was aimed at presenting the industry’s position on the proposed tax stamp framework, which he noted has generated considerable discussion within the sector.
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‎Sharma acknowledged the importance of regulatory controls but maintained that the beer industry remains one of the most structured and highly regulated sectors in Nigeria, with limited exposure to counterfeiting risks.
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‎“We fully understand the purpose and importance of tax stamps, particularly in industries where counterfeiting is a major concern.
“However, within the beer sector, counterfeiting is minimal,” Sharma said.
‎He noted that existing compliance and monitoring systems already provide adequate visibility across production and distribution channels.
‎“From an end-to-end compliance perspective, we believe there is already sufficient transparency and oversight,” he added.
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‎Sharma also highlighted the industry’s contribution to employment generation, government revenue and economic growth, cautioning that additional regulatory measures should be carefully designed to avoid unintended impacts on the sector and the wider economy.
The 2026 tax stamp policy in Nigeria is a regulatory, security-focused, and mandatory track-and-trace system imposed by the government on excisable goods—including alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages—to curb illicit trade and bolster revenue.
The policy, aimed at reducing smuggling and counterfeiting, requires high-security physical labels or digital codes to be affixed to products.
The policy applies to excisable products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, with specialized stamps for textile imports, such as the Red vs. Green stamps.
 Manufacturers must ensure compliance. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, compliance is required, and failure to stamp documents within 30 days can lead to severe penalties, including a 10% penalty fee plus interest.
While the government aims to enhance revenue, manufacturers, particularly in the brewing sector, have raised concerns that the policy could significantly diminish profitability and increase consumer prices, with potential to create 100% loss in profits if implemented as proposed.
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Customs

At UNILORIN conference, Adeniyi advocates for human- driven technology for balanced developmental efforts

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation driven governance during his keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
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‎The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.
The event attracted academics, communication experts, technology professionals, researchers, policymakers, and heads of government agencies to deliberate on the growing influence of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
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‎In his address, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional capacity.
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‎“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” Adeniyi stated.
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‎He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already reshaped global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but actively functioning within it.
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‎According to him, government institutions must ensure that technological innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency without compromising accountability.
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‎Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience, the CGC highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
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‎He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders have been reduced to less than eight hours.
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‎“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology delivers optimal results when guided by strong institutional values and ethical standards.
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‎Adeniyi further noted that although artificial intelligence enhances efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement.
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‎“Technology changes processes  leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
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‎The CGC also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
He urged academic institutions to move beyond theoretical learning and play a more active role in innovation and policy development.
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‎He identified areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication strategies, and the governance of cross border data flows.
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‎Adeniyi further advocated for the development of digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, emphasising that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it serves.
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‎On the sidelines of the conference,the CGC engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, community development, and capacity building.
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Customs

Oshoba, Apapa Customs boss, charges officers on discipline, revenue, trade facilitation

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has charged officers and men of the Command to intensify revenue generation, strengthen anti-smuggling operations and uphold professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

Comptroller Oshoba gave the charge during the Command’s monthly parade held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

The Area Controller emphasized the need for greater operational interventions across terminals to block revenue leakages while ensuring seamless trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance.

“Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. That is why any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated.

“Even at the gates. If a consignment is duly exited, there should be no delay at the gates,” he stated.

He also urged officers to remain accessible and professional in their dealings with stakeholders.

“You must make yourself accessible to our stakeholders and we must avoid actions capable of tarnishing the good image of the Service and the good work being done by the CGC and members of his management.

“We should not be seen as slugs in the wheels of progress,” Oshoba added.

The CAC further called for heightened vigilance against smuggling activities, especially illicit drugs and prohibited items, while warning officers against misconduct and improper dressing.

Highlight of the parade was the recognition of outstanding Officers and Units for exemplary service.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Ismail Mohammed emerged as the Most Outstanding Officer of the Month, while CSC Augustine Ondoma, ASCI Bukola Olaleye and IC Olalekan Salawu were recognized for professionalism, innovation and punctuality respectively.

Similarly, officers of APM Terminal received the Excellence Award on Enforcement, while Officers of ECO SUPPORT Terminal received the Excellence Award on Revenue Generation.

Comptroller Oshoba explained that the award initiative was introduced to encourage hard work, excellence, professionalism and healthy competition among Officers and Units of the Command.

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