Customs

Jubilation in Customs as Tinubu sacks Hameed Ali as CGC

Wale Adeniyi, Ag, CGC

The eyewitness reporter

There was wild jubilation among the men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service over the sack of Hameed Ali as the Comptroller General of Customs.

It would be recalled that President Ahmed Tinubu, Monday, approved the sack of the retired Colonel in a major shake-up in the military and paramilitary circle.

He was replaced by DCG Wale Adeniyi.

The happy mood among the officers also seeped into the rank of the freight forwarders who equally heaved a sigh of relief at the unceremonious exit of a maximum ruler who ruled the customs as his fiefdom.

“He suffocated and polluted the benign atmosphere in the customs for eight years he reigned with his draconian laws and jackboot administration.

“His sack was a welcome development, good riddance to bad rubbish.

“It could have come much earlier” a jubilant officer who pleaded for anonymity, said.

It could be recalled that in 2015, former President Buhari brought Ali, a non-career Customs Officer Col(rtd) Ali, to head the service under the pretext of reforming and repositioning the Customs in a bid to raise the revenue profile of the organization.

“If he has any strand of moral fibre left in him, he should have left with his principal who imposed him on the service against the wish of career officers” an anonymous source noted.

“If I were him, I would have gone with my principal and not waited to be booted out the way he was eased out in an undignified manner,” another source said.

It was gathered that Ali received the news of his sack in far-away Brussels in Belgium where he was attending the World Customs Organization (WCO) conference.

“What an ignoble way to go out when he could have honourably resigned his position earlier than now when his principal left the office” a freight forwarder noted.

Most of the officers spoken to, who passionately pleaded for anonymity for fear of victimisation, declared that Ali’s eight years in Customs has done more harm to the collective psyche of the officers, and the general good of the service.

According to the respondents, apart from the regular promotions which officers benefitted as well as robust welfare packages and the enhanced revenue profile of the service, they claimed the service has not fared any better under the jackboot reign of the ex-soldier.

“He came to distort the auctioning system in the service which we use to dispose of abandoned cargos in a bid to stave off port congestion.

“But since he introduced his now moribund e – auctioning system, there has been a stockpile of abandoned cargos that had rotten away at the port.

“Go to the border stations across the country, seized cars as well as edible products like rice are there rotten.

“Go to the customs government warehouses, especially in Lagos, they are filled to the brim with seized goods and vehicles that are now rotten” a respondent lamented.

“The system he and his principal, Buhari, adopted to dispose of the edible products such as rice and vegetable oil to the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camps, especially in the North East, is fraught with fraud as most of these items were diverted for personal use” another source alleged.

“Given his military background, the Federal Operations Units of the service, under him, became more vicious and cold-blooded in their operations as there were rampant cases of killing, maiming of innocent citizens and indiscriminate raiding of markets and warehouses across the country” another source observed.

“Under his leadership, corruption was endemic” a non-Customs source claimed.

The source, who is a high-ranking freight forwarder plying his trade in Lagos ports, said despite the so-called automation system in customs, extortion reigned supreme under the nose of Ali who they accused of providing the enabling environment that make the ignoble act fester.

Another source also pointed out the controversial Customs modernisation project, which was spearheaded by Ali’s regime, as the biggest and most monumental fraud in the history of the Customs.

“What are they modernising?, an angry customs source asked rhetorically.

“Ali met modernised customs service whose operations are automated.

“We started the automated process with the ASYCUDA platform which has since been upgraded to a hi-tech operational process.

“What was needed was a continuous improvement in the automation process and capacity building for officers to match the fast-paced technical innovation in the global Customs operations

“To then conceive such fraud as Customs Modernisation project which conceded the revenue generation aspect of customs to outsiders, is not only ingenuously fraudulent but a de-service to the country” an irate source declared.

Another source observed that the increased revenue profile that the service witnessed under Ali and erroneously counted in his favour was nothing other than the function of the high exchange rate.

“You know that for some years now, the exchange rate has gone into a spin, spiraling out of control due to the forlorn economic policies of Ali’s principal.

“This has indeed helped to boost the revenue collection of the service.

“This should not by any means be attributed to any ingenious policy change of Ali or the so-called plugging of revenue leakages as corruption under the sacked CGC assumed the hydra-headed status of a monster”

The general mood among the men and officers of the Customs is that of big relief at the sack of the maximum ruler in the customs service.

They all hailed the appointment of Wale Adeniyi whom they described as their own and believed will have more empathy than his sacked predecessor.

“Oga Adeniyi is a thoroughbred customs officer who rose through the rank and knows the internal workings of the service” a jubilant officer declared.

“Officers will be glad to work with him to build customs of our dream” another respondent stated.

“Affliction will not rise again. Never again shall we have the misfortune of having a non-career officer as our CG.

“Thank God for the new Customs Act which bars people like Ali who are non-customs officers to become the CGC,” a customs source said.

The maritime media also caught the bug of happiness over the sack of Ali.

“He has no regard for journalists. He treated the media with arrogance and disdain.

” He was the worst thing to have ever happened to the customs in its over 100 years of existence” an obviously elated maritime journalist declared.

“We have watched Wale Adeniyi, the new CG, grow through the rank and we hope his exceptionally sharp public relations acumen will not be blunted by the lure and lucre of his new office.” another maritime media practitioner declared.

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6 Comments

Mustapha Baba suleman

June 21, 2023 at 8:54 pm

Pigs armored robbers why will you like Ali.

Dirty lots

Reply
Abdul Aziz

June 21, 2023 at 9:10 pm

You can say whatever you like about Hamid Ali but not corruption, he is one of the few honest people in this country. Take it or leave it he did very well as far as generating revenue is concerned,in fact in the history of custom no comptroller general has generated such revenue like him.

Reply
Francis adams

June 22, 2023 at 12:02 pm

There was no jubilation, we only jebiliated because the right man was brought in.

Reply
Realist

June 22, 2023 at 2:12 pm

Buhari planted his kinsmen into sensitive positions to plunder and maimed the system and succeeded in doing so. How do you expect a dunce, unintelligent person to choose than his sorts .

Reply
AGBEJE

June 22, 2023 at 3:10 pm

Mr. President, congratulations for a good start which even your avowed enemies cannot deny. Please as you settle down for the greater work of redeeming the nation, I suggest that you send a bill to the National Assembly to criminalise sale employment opportunities in public institutions to the highest bidders to allow the children of nobody to compete for employment in the public institutions. This rape is being perpetuated against Nigerians for over eight (8) year in collaboration with the Federal Character Commission. Some people think it is even part of APC Manifestos to sell employment in public institutions! Kindly ensure that someone in contravention goes to jail to send a signal to the demi-gods in charge of public institutions. Sir, if you do this and also stop the frivolous interventions by CBN I guarantee you unprecedented 15million votes for second tenure. Thank you Sir!

Reply
AMINA YAKUBU

June 24, 2023 at 9:48 pm

I AMINA YAKUBU I need to joy dis Nigeria customer service, I’m always replying the work I won’t see any action, oh my God, my people help me 08068051071

Reply

Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has reached out to traditional rulers and sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.

To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.

According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.

Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.

“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.

“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.

“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said

The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.

” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.

Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities

“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.

” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned

While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.

“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.

“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said

In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.

The Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu,expressed the readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.

“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.

” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said

The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.

Customs

SIFAX Group sponsors Customs feature film “Novara”

– a story- telling movie on the sacrifices, resilience of customs officers in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

In a landmark evening that brought together the worlds of commerce, security, and storytelling, SIFAX Group was prominently recognised as a major sponsor at the star-studded premiere of ‘Novara’, the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) debut feature film, held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Viva Cinemas, Jara Mall, Ikeja, Lagos.

The high-profile event, which drew senior customs officials, industry leaders, members of the diplomatic community, and entertainment figures, marked an unprecedented moment in Nigeria’s institutional storytelling, with the NCS leveraging the power of cinema to illuminate the bravery and sacrifices of its officers in the relentless fight against smuggling.

Representing SIFAX Group at the event was Mrs Ololade Dawodu, Head of Clearing and Forwarding at SIFAX Shipping, who delivered an address that drew a direct line between the film’s narrative and the realities of maritime operations at Nigeria’s ports.

She noted that the story resonates strongly with real-life operations at Tin Can Island Port, one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial gateways and a critical hub within SIFAX Group’s operational landscape.

“For those of us in the industry, the sight of cargo ships and port operations is familiar but this film takes us beyond the surface, revealing the high-stakes reality that underpins global logistics.” she said.

Dawodu emphasised that the story goes beyond entertainment, serving as a tribute to the courage and resilience of officers who protect the nation’s economic lifelines.

She pointed to the film’s portrayal of loss and sacrifice as a sobering reminder of the human cost tied to security enforcement.

“At SIFAX Group, we believe that a secure maritime sector is the backbone of a thriving economy. Without security, trade cannot flourish.” she stated.

SIFAX Group’s partnership with the initiative did not go unnoticed.

The film’s producer, Agozie Ugwu, and the Superintendent of Customs 1, Mr Okpanachi Adejoh, both publicly commended SIFAX Group’s contributions to the project’s success, describing the Group’s sponsorship as instrumental in bringing the story to the screen at the scale it deserved.

The premiere concluded on a reflective note, with guests commending both the storytelling and the collaboration between the creative industry and key institutions.

For SIFAX Group, the evening reinforced a clear message: sustainable growth in trade and logistics depends not only on infrastructure and expertise, but also on unwavering commitment to security.

About ‘Novara’

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Agozie Ugwu and featuring veteran Nollywood actors Francis Duru and Ray Adeka, Novara tells the story of a dedicated customs officer navigating the dangers of undercover operations, while also shedding light on the personal sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel.

Through its narrative, the film highlights the often-unseen risks involved in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.

The film follows Superintendent Panshak Asiya, an undercover Customs officer who risks everything, including the safety of his family, to dismantle one of the country’s most dangerous smuggling syndicates.

Beyond its gripping action sequences, the film explores themes of love, faith, sacrifice, and the unseen human cost of law enforcement.

Customs

Customs seeks strong commitment to war against narcotics trafficking in Nigeria

Funso OLOJO, Editor

–renews partnership with NDLEA for effective operations

The Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has warned that weak and uncoordinated institutional fight against drug trafficking may undermine Nigeria’ s standing in international community.

Leading a high- powered Customs delegation to a strategic meeting with the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) held at the headquarters of the anti- narcotics agency on Monday, April 27th, 2026, Adeniyi said that Nigeria must show strong commitment, clinical enforcement and transparency in its fight against narcotics trafficking in order to enhance the confidence of international community.

Addressing the joint meeting between the top- ranked Customs officers and the leadership of the NDLEA led by its Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Customs boss stated that narcotics trafficking is in the front burner of discussions at international fora and the West African corridor is under serious scrutiny.

Adeniyi further declared that the fight against drug trafficking now goes beyond domestic enforcement, warning that Nigeria’s credibility before international partners depends largely on how effectively local institutions work together.

“I came here directly from international engagements in Europe and Asia, and at every table, narcotics trafficking remained a major issue. The West African corridor is under serious watch.”

“The agreements we sign abroad will only carry value when our operational credibility at home supports them.

“If intelligence shared with Nigeria is not pursued to interception, prosecution and destruction, our standing is weakened,” CGC Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss disclosed that the Service had continued to make major seizures and handovers to NDLEA, particularly through the Apapa Command and other operational formations.

Adeniyi, however, stressed that interdiction alone was not enough, calling for stronger post-seizure accountability, regular prosecution updates and transparent destruction procedures.

“Interdiction is only the first act of enforcement, not the last. Where narcotics are transferred but not promptly destroyed, where prosecution advances without feedback, and where exhibits are separated from originating officers, then the chain of enforcement is incomplete.”, he declared.

The Customs boss proposed a fresh framework between both agencies, including joint destruction of seized drugs where suspects are not arrested, periodic case status reports, coordinated court appearances and standing liaison channels at command level.

“We have not come here to apportion blame. We have come to design the next phase of a partnership that has carried Nigeria this far and must now carry it further,” the CGC declared.

Responding, the NDLEA Chairman described the concerns raised by Customs as legitimate and timely, assuring that the agency remains committed to transparency, accountability and professional cooperation.

“The concerns relating to post-transfer accountability, prosecution outcomes and disposal processes are valid concerns.

“We must move beyond ceremonial handovers to a structured and mandatory reporting framework under which NDLEA provides formal updates on investigations, prosecutions and final disposal of Customs-originated seizures.” Marwa noted.

The NDLEA boss proposed the immediate establishment of a joint committee to review grey areas in the existing Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) signed by both agencies under previous administrations.

According to him, the committee would recommend clearer procedures and, where necessary, draft a supplementary agreement for approval by both leaderships, stating, “Today’s meeting is timely. It gives us the opportunity to discuss areas of concern frankly and strengthen our collaboration.”