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 courts Senate to amend Customs Act for enhanced operational capacity
Funso Olojo, Editor
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called on the Senate to amend critical provisions of the 2023 Customs Act to bring Nigeria’s customs administration in line with rapidly evolving global trade practices and strengthen the Service’s operational capacity.
The appeal was made at a retreat organised by the NCS for members of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs on August 5, 2026, where lawmakers were briefed on the Service’s ongoing modernisation programme and the need for stronger legislative oversight and statutory support.
Speaking at the retreat, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, urged the lawmakers to review the legal framework governing customs administration, arguing that Nigeria’s trade laws must evolve alongside emerging trends in international commerce and customs management.
Adeniyi said effective legislative oversight could only be achieved when lawmakers had a comprehensive understanding of the changing nature of customs operations and the reforms being implemented by the Service.
He explained that the retreat was designed to bridge existing information gaps and provide members of the Senate committee with a clearer understanding of the transformation taking place within the NCS.
According to him, such understanding would enable the lawmakers to provide informed oversight and the statutory backing required to sustain the Service’s modernisation agenda.
“While some provisions had worked as intended, others had proved difficult to apply or had been overtaken by the rapidly changing trade environment.
“We are requesting considerable amendments to ensure the Act remains relevant to fast-moving trade policies and supports the Service’s modernisation agenda,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss stressed that although the Service currently enjoys strong support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NCS Board under the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, lasting reforms require statutory protection that goes beyond the tenure of any particular administration.
He said legislative amendments would provide the institutional stability required to consolidate the gains of the ongoing reforms and ensure that future administrations could build on the foundation already being laid.
Highlighting the breadth of the NCS modernisation programme, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Tijani Abbey, outlined several initiatives being implemented to transform customs administration.
Among them are the deployment of the indigenous B’Odogwu Trade Management System, intelligence-driven post-clearance audits, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, coordinated border management and end-to-end digital process integration.
These initiatives, he explained, are aimed at improving revenue collection, facilitating legitimate trade, reducing human intervention in customs processes and strengthening national security.
The reforms are also expected to enhance transparency, improve compliance and make Nigeria’s trading environment more competitive by aligning customs procedures with international best practices.
Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs, Senator Isah Jibrin, commended the NCS for surpassing its revenue targets despite the operational challenges confronting the Service.
Jibrin assured the Customs management that the National Assembly was prepared to provide the legislative support required to consolidate the Service’s achievements and address identified constraints.
“What you need to do is to identify your challenges, try to address them as much as possible, so as to have a much more robust, inclusive, and beyond-budget performance. Where you require legislative backing, please do not hesitate to call on us,” Jibrin advised.
The Senate committee chairman also congratulated Adeniyi on his re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, describing the feat as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration and international trade.
The retreat therefore marked a significant step towards closer collaboration between the NCS and the legislature, particularly at a time when Nigeria is seeking to modernise its trade architecture, increase revenue mobilisation and improve the efficiency of its borders and ports.
For the Customs Service, the proposed amendment of the Act is not merely about changing outdated provisions but creating a legal framework capable of supporting a technology-driven, intelligence-led and globally competitive customs administration.
Customs
NCS intercepts container concealing pump-action rifle parts, seizes ₦373.8m worth of cannabis products at Tincan Port
Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container concealing components of pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products with a combined street value of ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command in Lagos.
Announcing the seizures on Thursday, August 6th,2016, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the operations as a major breakthrough in the Service’s sustained campaign against the importation of prohibited items that pose serious threats to national security and public health.
Addressing journalists alongside representatives of other security agencies, Adeniyi said the seizures underscore the NCS’ unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders through intelligence-driven enforcement and enhanced risk management.
According to him, Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by the Service’s intelligence-based risk management system and placed under intensive surveillance before undergoing a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station.
The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.
The Customs boss disclosed that the recovered firearm components are currently undergoing comprehensive technical examination and inventory to determine their exact quantity and configuration.
Adeniyi further revealed that investigations extended beyond the seizure, leading to the arrest of one suspect on July 31, 2026, at the Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.
He explained that documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established the suspect’s connection with the named consignee, including a ₦10,000 payment traced to a company account linked to the consignee on the day of the arrest.
According to the CGC, two suspects are currently in Customs custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by security operatives.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused products cleverly concealed alongside two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.
The seized narcotic products include:
109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces, weighing 17.44kg, with a street value of ₦308,792,640.
125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs, weighing 515.2kg, valued at ₦40,700,000.
Others are 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies comprising 442 packs, weighing 309.4kg, with a street value of ₦24,310,000.
The total street value of the intercepted cannabis-infused products was put at ₦373,802,640.
Adeniyi noted that the interceptions demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate international trade channels to smuggle illicit arms and narcotic substances into the country.
He said the successful operations also validate the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems and robust collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies.
The Comptroller-General reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks engaged in smuggling, stressing that every individual connected to the illegal operations would be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Nigeria’s ports will never serve as safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods,” Adeniyi declared.
He commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, professionalism and dedication, which culminated in the successful interceptions.
The CGC also acknowledged the continued support of sister security and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Reassuring Nigerians of the Service’s commitment to its statutory mandate, Adeniyi said the Nigeria Customs Service would remain resolute in securing the nation’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support the fight against smuggling and transnational organised crime, adding that the Service would keep Nigerians informed as investigations progress and the prosecution of the suspects begins.
Customs
Lilypond Export Command records $792.5m export value in three months, processes 5,510 containers
Funso Olojo, Editor
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded exports valued at $792.5 million in the second quarter of 2026, processing a total of 5,510 export containers between April and June.
The Command’s export performance represented an increase of $192.9 million, or 24.35 per cent, compared with the corresponding period of 2025.
Disclosing the figures during a press briefing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi, said the impressive performance reflected the Command’s commitment to facilitating non-oil exports and supporting the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.
A breakdown of the quarterly performance showed that export transactions valued at $274.8 million were processed in April 2026, compared with $237.5 million in April 2025, representing an increase of $37.2 million or 13.55 per cent.
In May, export value rose to $275.9 million, up from $180.9 million recorded in the corresponding month of 2025.
This represented an increase of $94.9 million, translating to 34.40 per cent growth.
Similarly, exports processed in June stood at $241.8 million, compared with approximately $181 million recorded in June 2025, reflecting an increase of about $60.8 million or 25.15 per cent.
Comptroller Ariyibi also disclosed that the Command handled 5,510 export containers during the quarter, compared with 3,732 containers in the same period of 2025. This represents an increase of 1,778 containers, translating to 32.27 per cent growth in container throughput.
Agricultural products accounted for the largest share of exports during the period, with shipments valued at $422.09 million, up from $369.85 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
This represented an increase of about $52.24 million, underscoring the sustained growth of Nigeria’s agricultural export sector.
Manufactured goods ranked second among export commodities, rising significantly from $120.3 million in the second quarter of 2025 to about $350.67 million in the same period of 2026.
The increase of approximately $230.37 million highlights the growing contribution of value-added products to Nigeria’s export earnings.
In contrast, exports of solid minerals declined sharply from about $91.16 million in the second quarter of 2025 to about $7.18 million during the review period, a drop of nearly $84 million.
According to the Area Controller, the decline aligns with the Federal Government’s policy of promoting local value addition and domestic processing of mineral resources before export.
On revenue, the Command generated ₦95.26 million as the 2.5 per cent Export Surcharge, compared with ₦149.40 million generated during the corresponding period in 2025.
This represented a decline of ₦54.13 million, or 36.24 per cent.
However, collections under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) increased from ₦4.87 billion to ₦5.38 billion, representing a growth of approximately ₦512 million, or 9.52 per cent.
Speaking on the performance, Comptroller Ariyibi said:
“The impressive performance recorded during the second quarter of 2026 reflects the Command’s unwavering commitment to trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement, compliance enforcement, and the implementation of Federal Government policies aimed at boosting non-oil exports.
“The Lilypond Export Command remains resolute in its mandate to facilitate legitimate exports, improve operational efficiency, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth through increased non-oil export activities.”
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Customs management team for their visionary leadership and continuous support.
The Area Controller also commended exporters, licensed customs agents, partner government agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation, noting that their collaboration was instrumental to the Command’s strong second-quarter performance.
Headlines3 months agoSallah celebration: Osun govt offers free train ride to indigenes as NRC increases Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips for Sallah
- Customs2 months ago
Retirement gale sweeps through Customs as Olomu,Bomodi,Oladeji,Adeola,Adebakin, Niagwan among 1,516 officers set to exit service
- Analyses3 months ago
THE IBOM DEEP SEAPORT: Nigeria’s ultimate counterweight in West African maritime race
- Headlines2 months ago
NRC suspends Warri- Itakpe train service over operational concerns
- Customs2 weeks ago
Customs releases final recruitment list for ASC II, ends nearly one-year wait for applicants
- Headlines3 months ago
FG grants approval for more deep seaports to boost Nigeria’ s competitive edge in C/W African region
