Customs
Food crisis: Customs intercepts 120 export trucks of foodstuffs nationwide
“Apart from policing the borders, our mandate is to also ensure the protection of agricultural inputs as essential elements of National powers which ensure food security because hunger is an essential element of chaos and uncertainties,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of representing the Service well to gain the trust of Nigerians and charged them to address their conduct, cautioning against the unauthorized use of social media.
Addressing members of the press, the CGC reiterated the Service’s commitment to ensuring national food security, “in our unwavering dedication to safeguarding our nation’s prosperity, I stand before you today to reaffirm the Customs Service’s solemn pledge to fortify our country’s food security.” he added.
The Comptroller-General of Customs said, “Our resolve remains steadfast as we navigate the challenges ahead, steadfastly upholding our duty to protect and nourish our beloved homeland.”
He emphasized that all actions of the Nigeria Customs Service are governed by the law and aimed at building a prosperous country.
He said, “In our relentless pursuit of upholding the integrity of international trade, I underscore the Customs’ unwavering vigilance in enforcing compliance with trade regulations.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, who announced measures to reduce the price of food items in the country and release food items to residents in Kano, also assured that “the Service would continue to operate within the law and maintain the status of food security in the country.”
CGC Adeniyi however stressed the importance of collaboration with relevant stakeholders and fostering good relations with community members.
He also used the medium to urge citizens to continue supporting the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service in safeguarding national food security.
The visit of the Comptroller-General underscores the Service’s commitment to addressing critical issues such as food scarcity and ensuring the welfare of citizens across the nation.
The CGC also took his campaign on food sufficiency and effort to stop food exports to Dawanau International grains marketers where he urged them to avoid illegal exports, hoarding
He says, “This directive underscores the government’s commitment to mitigating the effects of food shortages and ensuring equitable distribution of resources amidst the current national crisis.”
He said the president had identified the ongoing hardship and food scarcity in the country, hence directed that the Act must be fully implemented to ensure that the food items were not illegally exported out of the country when people were in dire need of them.
The Comptroller-General then urged the Dawanau grains dealers to assist the government by complying with the directive banning the exportation of food items to provide enough food to the people.
“We work with you to ensure that our joint objective of achieving national law and so many issues which have been raised. I listened to you with rapt attention about creating an export warehouse in this market.”
“The Nigeria Customs Service will set up machinery that can be used to address issues around who operates the warehouse.”
“The President has asked me to request your understanding that during this period, we will implement the laws forbidding the exportation of certain grains such as beans, rice, and millet, among many others. We do not want those that are locally produced in Nigeria and those that are already imported to be re-exported out of the country.”
“You are a very big stakeholder in this particular business before today. I had a meeting with transporters. I met with journalists to get their support and understanding, and that’s why I’ve also come to this market because we know that this is the biggest market, the reason we must take an interest in where your exports are going.”
He maintained that “we will also make sure that we take on board and collaborate with other agencies like the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and most importantly, the Central Bank of Nigeria because I understand that there is still a big issue we need to resolve.”
In his remarks, the President of the Dawanau Market Development Association, Muttaka Isah, told the Comptroller-General that members of the association were facing some challenges, which included “the unfounded allegation in some quarters that our dealers hoard grains in their warehouses.”
“I want to seize this opportunity, Sir, to deny this baseless allegation and to inform Nigerians that we do not hoard foodstuffs; whatever grains we procure from the growers and other sources, we store them in our warehouses for a while before we supply them directly to our customers in the markets.”
“So, we store these grains for operational convenience and to protect the foodstuffs from foreign bodies that might spoil them.” He said.
“Another challenge bedeviling this market is the near absence of operational understanding between our traders who import beans and the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, especially along the Nigeria-Niger International border.” He said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dawanau Development Association, Abdullahi Maidoya, expressed appreciation for CGC Adeniyi’s initiative in taking the time to interact with the market’s leadership and listen to their concerns.
Maidoya commended the Comptroller-General for his commitment to fostering a conducive business environment for traders within the market.
He particularly lauded the promise made by CGC Adeniyi to facilitate seamless business conditions, acknowledging the significance of such efforts in alleviating the challenges faced by businesspeople operating in the market.
Recognizing the importance of streamlining import processes, he emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between the Service and market stakeholders to address barriers and ensure the smooth flow of essential commodities into the country.
In another development, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service has embarked on a comprehensive inspection visit to the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport and some Bonded Terminals under the jurisdiction of NCS Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
Customs
Customs puts smiles on faces of 4,237 retirees as Adeniyi releases N7.61bn to 9 PFAs for payment
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disbursed N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the payment of retirement benefits to 4,237 retired Customs officers, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its former personnel.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a dialogue with retired officers held on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, where he announced that the funds had already been released to the PFAs for immediate credit to the retirees’ individual Retirement Savings Accounts.
According to the beneficiary breakdown, Premium Pension has the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,268 retirees, followed by Access-ARM Pension Managers with 1,223.
Leadway Pensions will pay 403 retirees, TrustFund Pensions 156, FCMB Pensions 144, Veritas Glanvills Pensions 28, Norrenberger Pensions 11, while Fidelity Pension Managers will pay four retirees, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,237.
Addressing the retirees, Adeniyi stressed that the Customs Service remains committed to ensuring the welfare of both serving and retired officers, noting that the institution’s future is closely tied to how it treats those who devoted their careers to its service.
He said the Service must remain financially strong and capable of meeting its obligations, emphasizing that retirees deserve dignity and timely access to their benefits.
The CGC also called for sustained engagement between the Service and its retirees, explaining that the dialogue was convened to address concerns, foster mutual understanding, and dispel misinformation.
“I acknowledge your concerns and suggestions, and it is in view of this that we convened this dialogue to promote better understanding and reduce the effect of rumours and unofficial information on the relationship between the Service and its retired personnel,” Adeniyi said.
Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, DCG Tijjani Abe, and other members of the Customs Management Team, who assured the retirees that the issues raised would receive due consideration at both the Board and Management levels.
The retired officers commended the Comptroller-General and the Management for creating a platform for direct interaction, describing the engagement as timely and beneficial.
They appealed for the dialogue to become a regular feature to strengthen the bond between the Service and its retired workforce.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing Federal Government efforts to improve pension administration, following plans to review relevant statutory provisions, including Section 15(4) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, in line with Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with the aim of enhancing the welfare of pensioners across the public service.
Customs
Apapa Customs intercepts ₦26.57bn cannabis hidden in imported vehicles
Gloria Odion Maritime reporter
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has dealt a major blow to drug trafficking networks with the interception of 4,143.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica valued at ₦26.57 billion, cleverly concealed inside a 40-foot container carrying imported used vehicles.
The illicit consignment was uncovered during a joint examination conducted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Command’s Enforcement Unit.
The interception followed credible intelligence, which prompted the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, to order a comprehensive examination of 40-foot container No. FANU1933352.
The operation, carried out on Friday, July 10, 2026, led to the discovery of one of the largest cannabis seizures recorded at the nation’s premier port.
The container had been declared to contain three used vehicles—a 2015 red Nissan Micra, a 2019 black Toyota Corolla S, and a 2015 grey Toyota Corolla.
However, a meticulous inspection revealed 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, each weighing 500 grams, bringing the total weight of the narcotics to 4,143.5 kilograms.
Investigators found that four of the bags had been concealed inside the red Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were strategically hidden beneath the container floor and in the spaces between the three vehicles.
No narcotics were found inside either the black Toyota Corolla S or the grey Toyota Corolla.
Speaking on the seizure, Comptroller Oshoba described the interception as another demonstration of the Apapa Area Command’s unwavering resolve to prevent the importation of prohibited items, particularly illicit drugs that threaten public health, national security, and the economy.
He noted that the successful operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, against smuggling and all forms of illicit trade.
The Customs Area Controller reiterated the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while sustaining robust enforcement against prohibited and restricted imports.
He also commended the officers involved for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication.
“This seizure once again demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that only legitimate trade thrives at Apapa Port,” Oshoba said.
“As investigations continue, we remain resolute in making the port inaccessible to those engaged in unlawful activities prohibited by our laws.
“I also wish to reassure our compliant traders of our continued support. They will continue to benefit from the trade facilitation measures introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs to promote seamless and legitimate business operations.”
Following the interception, Comptroller Oshoba ordered the seizure of the container in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other relevant laws.
The seized Cannabis Indica will subsequently be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation, prosecution of those involved, and other necessary legal actions.
The seizure underscores the growing synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA in combating transnational organised crime, particularly the trafficking of illicit drugs through the nation’s seaports, while reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and protecting the public from the devastating effects of narcotics.
Customs
Nigeria Customs prepares 100 Deputy Comptrollers for leadership roles with strategic refresher course
Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of its commitment to strengthening leadership capacity, preparing senior officers for higher responsibilities, and sustaining ongoing institutional reforms.
The workshop, organised by the Service’s Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada.
Declaring the programme open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Dow Gaura, described the participants as carefully selected officers being groomed for greater leadership responsibilities within the Service.
According to him, the refresher course is designed to equip the officers with the knowledge, discipline and leadership qualities required to lead by example and effectively guide the next generation of Customs personnel.
“These officers are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel.
“This training extends beyond professional competence; it is focused on discipline, succession planning, conduct and exemplary leadership,” Gaura stated.
Delivering the keynote lecture, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dera Nnadi, reminded participants that promotion to senior ranks comes with increased responsibility rather than personal privilege.
“The rank of Deputy Comptroller does not merely confer authority; it confers service.
“You owe responsibility to the Service, your colleagues, your subordinates, the nation’s leadership and our stakeholders,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, urged the officers to uphold the core values of discipline, professionalism and regimentation.
He stressed that senior officers must demonstrate exemplary conduct, maintain high professional standards in appearance, and foster positive relationships with their subordinates.
In his welcome address, the Acting Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa, explained that the refresher course was specifically designed to prepare Deputy Comptrollers for the expanded responsibilities associated with senior leadership positions in the Nigeria Customs Service.
He noted that the initiative reflects the Comptroller-General’s unwavering commitment to continuous capacity development, adding that officers must continually update their knowledge, strengthen their leadership competencies, and uphold the discipline, professionalism and integrity expected of future managers of the Service.
Participants expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General for approving the training, describing it as timely, relevant and impactful.
They pledged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to strengthen discipline, improve service delivery and uphold the reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service as they assume greater leadership responsibilities across the country.
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