Customs

Customs in arms haul seizures at Lagos port as CGC Adeniyi sacks strike force team

The Eyewitness reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted an arms cache at the Lagos ports even as the Customs Comptroller-General, Wale Adeniyi, has disbanded the notorious CG strike force teams.

In the arms haul displayed at the Federal Operations Unit of the Service, Lagos, the Customs intercepted a combined arms cache of thirty-one (31) rifles and ammunition concealed in plastic drums and sacks of charcoal within the first two weeks of July 2023.

Briefing newsmen Monday, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adeniyi disclosed that the arms haul, intercepted at both the Tin Can Island Port and PTML, was curiously traced to the same importer who imported them from the United States of America (USA).

The CGC stated that the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) in a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security,( DSS), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), carrying out a 100% examination of a 1x40ft container on the 5th of July, 2023 at the Ports & Terminal Multiservices Limited, uncovered ten (10) dangerous arms and ammunition concealed inside a plastic drum.

A breakdown of the concealed items includes Three (3) new Pump Action Rifles and one new unit of an armed Rifle, Six (6) new different types of pistols including one new millennium G2 pistol; one (1) new Sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol; one (1) new Lugger Security-9 pistol; one (1) new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol; one new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, and one (1) new Taurus (63 pistol).

Others include fourteen (14) empty magazines and 442 rounds of live ammunition.

The Customs Boss noted that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

He said, “The clearing agent, Mr. Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Limited, and Mr. Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the Container, are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizure.

In the same vein, the Tincan Island Port Command of the Service, within the same period, while acting on credible intelligence; subjected a 1x40ft container to 100% physical examination with the relevant security Agencies at the ports.

According to the Ag. CGC, the physical examination uncovered 18 arms, packets of cartridges and rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums.

Details of the seizure include:

6 different makes of pistols namely: two (2) Sar9 Sarsilmarz Pistols; one (1) Ruger American Pistol and three (3) Taurus G3c – Bainbridge Pistols).

Twelve (12) different makes of riffles namely; five (5) Rz17hd Rifles; one (1) Gamo Rifle, five (5) Pump Action Rifles and one (1) Rz17 Tactical Rifle), ten (10) packets of cartridges,two (2) packets of 9mm ammunition.

One hundred (100) rounds of 9mm Winchester ammunition. One (1) carton of Frontier cartridges and

Two (2) packets of Buckshot ammunition.

“Again, during a routine Patrol along Owode/Ajilete Axis of Ogun State by Officers of the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2, on Wednesday 12 July 2023, intercepted an unregistered Toyota Camry loaded with six sacks of charcoal, which was used to conceal three (3) pump action riffles with 174 live cartridges”. The Customs Boss revealed.

“The driver of the vehicle, who knew the content he was conveying vis-a-vis the attendant consequences of his action before the law; jumped into the bush and escaped arrest”. he noted.

“Investigation into the seizures is inconclusive. The outcome of our investigations together with the seizures will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution”. Adeniyi added.

He reiterated the services’ resolve to tackle the economic and security menace caused by recalcitrant traders.

“Let me state at this point that the Service has re-strategized its operations, while our Officers have raised their levels of professionalism, we have re-injected new tactics to tackle the economic and security menace caused by recalcitrant importers and their agents.

“The Services’ human resources and logistics are collectively harnessed to combat and prevent economic sabotage”, he said.

He implored importers and agents to be patriotic by making sincere declarations, and be properly guided by the import/export prohibition lists, while also urging the public to see security as a collective responsibility.

“We will appreciate information of illegal importation and cross-border movement of dangerous weapons used to create mayhem in our nation”, he pleaded.

Meanwhile, the Customs boss has approved the disbandment of the notorious CG strike force teams across the country.

In a circular signed by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Enforcement, Investigation and Intelligence, Mohammed Abba-Kura, the CGC asked the officers of the unit to hand over to the Federal Operations Unit across the zones.

“I am directed to convey the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) approval for the immediate dissolution of the CGC’s Strike Force Teams.

“To this end, all officers under the teams are by this circular directed to return to their Area Commands or Units where they were drawn from.”
“SF Team Coordinators in respective zones (A, B, C & HQ) are to ensure the following:

“All Arms and Ammunitions are to be properly handed over to respective Area Commands/ Units/ Headquarters where they were signed from.”

“All operational vehicles are to be handed over to Controllers Federal Operation Units (FOU) and returns forwarded to Headquarters respectively. Coord HQ SF Team should retire operational vehicles under his team to Comptroller Transport & Logistics.”

“Records of detentions, seizures, cases in court and any other vital record/ information are to be handed to Controller FOUs across the Zones while Coord HQ SF Team should retire all records under his custody to the office of DCG E, 1&1.”

“While extending the CGC’s commendation and appreciation for the services rendered by the SF Teams, you are to ensure strict compliance with immediate effect, please.”

The CG strike force teams were the creation of the former Comptroller General of Customs, Col.(rtd)

Hammed Ali, which he used to terrorise and extort importers and their agents.

Their activities also constituted a hindrance to trade facilitation as they indiscriminately intercepted legally exited consignments on trumped-up charges and allegations.

The officers attached to the Gestapo- like squad, were also notorious for the indiscriminate raiding of markets and warehouses across the country where they always left in their trails sorrow, tears, and blood from victims of their indiscriminate shooting which led to many dead and maimed.

The disbandment of the Gestapo squad was a demonstration of the new CGC style of leadership which has cleared showed that he is a listening leader who defers to the yearnings of stakeholders, especially the importers and their agents, who had severally clamoured for the scrapping of this notorious gang.

Customs

Miko, new PTML helmsman, assumes duties as Comptroller Anani hands over with N181b revenue.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The newly deployed Acting Controller of Nigeria Customs Service, Ports Terminal Multiservices Command( PTML) DC Nura Ibrahim Miko ,has formally assumed duties with a promise to operate with integrity, follow due process while ensuring seamless trade facilitation

He took over from Controller Joseph Anani, who has been redeployed to the Tin Can Command of the Service, as he declared that he collected over ₦181billion revenue as at the time of handing over.

Assuring officers and men of PTML Command and stakeholders, Acting Controller Miko said “I want you to know this: I am here to work with you, not merely to lead you.

“Under my watch, Integrity will be non-negotiable,trade facilitation will remain our priority.

“Due process will be strictly respected.Teamwork will be our greatest strength.

“Results will be achieved through collaboration, not fear.Together, we will take this command to greater heights”

Miko who stated this after taking over from Comptroller Anani, described the area as a well organised Command while promising to build on the achievements of his immediate predecessor.

He also sought continued cooperation and collaboration of all sister agencies and stakeholders operating within the Command while stating further that effective port operations depend on inter-agency synergy, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and national security.

According to him, the Command will remains open to constructive engagement while confirming his commitment to transparency, accessibility and a level playing field for all.

He added that together, the Command’s Stakeholders will sustain PTML’s position as a model command for efficiency and integrity.

While thanking the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for the confidence and trust reposed in him,the Acting Controller said the nation’s number one customs officer’s policy thrust of Innovation, Consolidation, and Collaboration will be upheld as they jointly write the next chapter of the PTML Area Command.

Comptroller Anani who has since assumed duties at the Tin Can Island Command, described his eight months service period at PTML as an extraordinary privilege to serve as the Area Controller

He recalled the success of his predecessor who pioneered the roll out of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) also known as B’Odogwu and started the process of addressing it’s initial challenges and how he (Anani) consolidated it to success

“When I first walked into this role, I carried a clear mandate: to steer this command through it’s modernisation transition stage to a more stable state.

“After my predecessor saw to the successful roll out of B’Odogwu and was addressing the teething challenges associated with such an innovative system, I came and with the support of my fellow officers, sister agencies and stakeholders, we took it to the next level.

” This could not have been possible without the support of all of you” Comptroller Anani said

Anani added that “On the enforcement side of our operations, we succeeded in seizing and handing over illicit drugs, arms and ammunition to the relevant government agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW)domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)

“On my watch,we launched groundbreaking initiatives by achieving one hour clearance of compliant vehicle imports, and most importantly, built a culture where every one feels valued and encouraged to do more in terms of compliance.

“None of these would have been possible without the dedication, creativity, and resilience of each and every one of you” Comptroller Anani declared.

Customs

Seme Customs cracks down on smugglers

— intercepts prohibited items worth

N501.8m

-rakes in ₦9.8b revenue in three months

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs service has renewed its onslaught on smugglers and other traders in illicit trade as its officers have intercepted various smuggled goods and other illicit products.

The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, while giving the performance report of the command on Monday, May 25th, 2026, disclosed that the seized goods consist of narcotics, pharmaceutical products, edible items and petroleum products worth N501,845,772.

Giving the breakdown of the seizures made within three months of his assumption of office at the command, Comptroller Kaila said they included 1000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, substantial quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and various sexual enhancement drugs lacking certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The products seized include one carton containing 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup (100ml each), 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine (30ml each), 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 100 packs of Tramaking, and 100 packs of Tempendol.

Others seized items include 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of 30 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing and the Duty Paid Value of all the aforementioned intercepted items is 501,845,772 Naira.

The seized narcotics and banned Pharmaceutical items have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further actions.

In a similar vein, the Command within the period under review grossed revenue in excess of N9.796billion which represents an increase of N7.610 billion collected with the corresponding period in 2025.

Comptroller Kaila attributed the achievement to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, enhanced operational efficiency, and the strategic deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

He also praised the renewed dedication and vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the Command which resulted to the commendation feat.

” We remain committed to sustaining these gains through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures capable of guaranteeing continuous revenue growth without obstructing legitimate trade activities.

“As one of Nigeria’s most strategic and busiest land border formations, the Seme Area Command occupies a critical position in regional and continental trade integration frameworks, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Area controller disclosed.

He however warned illicit traders to steer clear of the command which he said was not the hiding place for economic sabotage.

“Let me use this opportunity to issue a strong warning to smugglers and their collaborators that the Seme Area Command will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade.

“The Command has significantly strengthened its intelligence network, enhanced surveillance capacity across land and maritime routes, and intensified collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.

“To compliant traders and legitimate business operators, I wish to reiterate that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade”

” At Seme Area Command, we remain resolute in our commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict enforcement against illicit activities capable of undermining national economic interests” Comptroller Kaila declared.

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.