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Customs

Customs sustains crackdown on purveyors of fake, substandard phamacitical products

— intercepts 16 containers of arms, ammunition, unregistered medicaments worth N10 billion
Funso OLOJO
The Nigeria Customs Service has vowed to cripple the illicit businesses of purveyors of fake and unregistered pharmaceuticals if they refuse to give up their deadly ventures.
The Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the declaration on Monday, August 11th, 2025 when he was showcasing 16 containers of illicit pharmaceuticals, arms and ammunition at the AP Terminal, Apapa Port worth N10 billion
He lamented the high rate of importation of fake and expired pharmaceuticals for which the Customs declared the state of emergency at Onne Port and restricted the clearance of pharmaceuticals to the Port terminals which banning bonded terminals from receiving the product.
Adeniyi revealed that inter- agency collaboration, intelligence- driven method and intrusive technology are some of the techniques deployed to track and intercepted these illicit trade.
“Today, we have seizures of  16 containers laden with prohibited drugs,expired medicament, expired food, and other items that run foul of our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition.
“These smuggled items have a harmful effect on the health and wellbeing of unsuspecting Nigerians who would have consumed them in addition to causing insecurity in the country.
“It is important to once again reiterate that the NCS is ever committed to rid Nigeria of illicit and harmful medical importation by breaking their supply chain as we ensure they don’t go beyond our seaports,airports and land borders into our commercial ecosystem.
“Despite our campaigns against these kinds of importation backed with seizures and arrests, the people I call merchants of death have chosen Apapa Port as an entry point for prohibited items.
“As usual,they failed to pull through.
We are resolute to confront these people who do not mean well for Nigerians and the economy by ensuring our entry points are not used for their unlawful acts.
“Our operatives in Apapa Port with the support of our internal intelligence and sister government agencies have seized three (3)containers of expired margarine, three (3) containers of used clothes and five (5) containers carrying expired drugs, prohibited medicament and colorado hemp.
“On July 24, 2025, during a joint physical examination with the NDLEA,a 1x40ft container number MRSU 6407089 was found to contain 202cans of Colorado Loud la specie of cannabis from Canada) with each can weighing 500 grams totaling 101Kg.
“Also,inside the same container, we uncovered 2 pump action rifles,25 cartridges of ammunition, 1 Smith & Wesson Pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, 1 blank, and other accessories.
‘Confirming a case of false declaration and attempting to circumvent our processes, the system bill of laden listed the items of import as 3Toyota Sienna and 1 Toyota Camry vehicles with the consignee as Babatunde Ogidiolu Samuel.
“Consequently, two suspects, the agent, one Mr. Modi Azuka of No.1Miracle Street, Ago Palace Way, and another suspect identified as Mrs.Lisa Akpedeme have been arrested and detained in connection with the Canadian Loud and weapons.They are currently undergoing interrogation.
“We also seized container number OERU 4243517 (40FT) found to contain 1,290 sacks of frozen chicken breast and another FBIU 5507953found to contain (40FT)1,290 sacks of frozen chicken breast.
“In a related development, another seized container number ZCSU 7277511 (40FT)
was found to contain 305 cartons of toothpaste without NAFDAC Registration number, cartons of slippers concealed in 46 cartons of beads,40 cartons of Jalabiya,amongst others.
“Furthermore, just this morning, operatives at the Apapa port intercepted two containers (1x40ft and 1x20ft) carrying 2,401 cartons of codeine syrup.
“We also have another two suspects in connection with two containers of smuggled frozen poultry products.
“For the arms, ammunition and drugs, the two suspects shall be handed over to the NDLEA and DSS for further investigation and prosecution while the other two held for the poultry products shall be handed over to NAFDAC.
“In a separate development, container number CAIU 4979294 1x40was found to contain CSP codeine syrup; another 1×40 container number MRKU 3738603 was found to contain 1,100 cartons of expired chest and lungs tablets without NAFDAC number.
“Similarly, we also have seven other seizures comprising three containers of expired margarine and two used clothing; a 1x20container was laden with 540 cartons of expired feed and cyproheptadine tablets without NAFDAC number.
“The Duty Paid Value of the seized items is N N10,273,694,595.00 (Ten billion,two hundred and seventy-three million, six hundred and ninety-four thousand,five hundred and ninety-five naira only).
“Our vow to protect the national economy, the well-being of citizens and residents of Nigeria remains unshaken.
“Let me once again warn that the NCS, with the support of our strategic partners, will keep delivering uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize prohibited items.
“Therefore, perpetrators of these unlawful acts and their collaborators will also not be spared by the long arms of the law whenever our investigation gives clue about their complicity in these criminal activities
“Criminal elements who are determined to make our country a hub for destructive substances will always have our operatives to contend with. For us, this is a full-scale resistance and arrest session for them,and we are not ready to give up on this. We will run them out of business into jail” Adeniyi declared.
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Customs

Customs shortlists 286,697 candidates from 573,523 applicants eyeing 3,927 vacancies.

– lists conditions for next stage of recruitment exercise
Funso OLOJO 
As the race for the 3,927 slots in the Nigeria customs service gets hotter, the Service has shortlisted 286,697 candidates from the total number of 573,523 candidates who applied for the plum job in December, 2024.
In a press statement by the management of the service on the recruitment exercise, 286,697 candidates have been invited to proceed to the next phase of the exercise after a rigorous documentary scrutiny.
According to the Service, the second stage of the exercise is scheduled to take place from September 14th to 21st, 2025 and will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The method of examination is a reflection of the Service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process.
“Candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, provided there is reliable internet access.
“The exercise must, however, be conducted using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and a full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled.
“A facial verification process will be carried out during login; therefore, candidates are advised to maintain a neat appearance to avoid difficulties with recognition.
“The CBT application is sensitive to noise and body movement. Accordingly, candidates must remain fully focused throughout the test’s duration, as excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may result in automatic logout by the system.
“In the same vein, candidates are advised to avoid switching between windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.
“To further assist shortlisted applicants, the Service has made provisions for a mandatory pre-test exercise, which will be conducted two days before the actual CBT.
“This session will enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the application.
” In this regard, two separate links will be sent to all shortlisted applicants, one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination.
“Candidates who applied for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) should note that they will be invited for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment exercise.
“This provision does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
“The Nigeria Customs Service assures all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent.
“Successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through the Service’s official communication channels, the details of which will be conveyed in due course.
 “Applicants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the issued guidelines and to rely solely on verified official platforms of the Service for authentic updates, as the NCS will neither request any form of payment nor conduct recruitment activities on social media platforms” the statement concluded.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to inform the general public on the progress of its ongoing recruitment exercise, which commenced with an official advertisement published in national newspapers on Friday, 27th December 2024.
In line with its statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery, a total of 3,927 vacancies were declared across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.
The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise.
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Customs

Comptroller Oshoba hits the ground running with record of N20 billion revenue collection in single day

Gloria Odion 
The new Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has served a strong message about his intention to beat the record of his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller- General of Customs, Babatunde Olomu as he has a collection of N20 billion in a single day.
The new Controller made this feat barely 24 hours after he assumed office on Monday, September 8th, 2025.
The latest record-breaking collection now stands as the highest daily revenue of any command in the Nigeria Customs Service, using the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu
This record has not only broken the existing ₦18b achieved by the command but has also confirmed the new CAC’s resolve to meet and surpass the revenue target set for the command as stated in his maiden address on Monday
Shortly after taking over, Comptroller Oshoba met with senior officers of the command where he commended them for the great feats achieved in the past with a directive urging them to increase their tempo of productivity.
He reminded them that outstanding results are the real proof of hard work, dedication and uncompromising disposition to duty and that he believes they could do better than they did before his arrival.
On the recent ₦20.1b collection in a day, Comptroller Oshoba said it’s only the beginning of greater exploits and it’s not time for celebration because he foresees greater achievements for the flagship command of NCS under his leadership
He described B’Odogwu as a necessity in the build-up to a more modern and efficient customs administration in Nigeria with potential to strengthen the country’s position as Africa’s largest economy noted for trade facilitation.
“I commend my team and stakeholders for this great milestone of ₦20.1b collection in one day just 24 hours after I resumed here.
” It’s not the time to clap yet because clapping means removing your two hands from work to celebrate.
“Let’s leave the celebration and applause for days ahead when we shall have future achievements of surpassing targets, curbing any attempted smuggling or concealment and treating trade with productive speed without compromising our integrity.
“I believe in action, which speaks louder than words
“We are all part of history as our collective efforts are resonating positively on the Nigerian economy.
” I urge my officers to keep the great work going and for the stakeholders, they should stay on the path of compliance ” Comptroller Oshoba said.
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Customs

Olomu recounts achievements as he bows out of Apapa Customs command amidst applause 

– hands over big shoe to Comptroller Oshoba
Gloria Odion 
For 15 performance – parked months,the newly promoted Assistant Comptroller- General of Customs, ACG Babatunde Olomu, bestrode the landscape of Apapa command of the Nigeria customs service like a Colossus.
His blistering performance saw him set revenue record of N2 trillion in 2024 while he handed over N1.8 trillion receipt collected so far in 2025, which was 60 percent of the N3 trillion annual revenue target of the command.
According to Olomu, who handed the baton of leadership of the command to Comptroller E O Oshoba on Monday, September 8th, 2025, the Apapa command under his watch also achieved a record-breaking single-day revenue of ₦17.9 billion on June 19, 2024, surpassed by ₦18.2 billion in October 2024, and later ₦18.9 billion on March 14, 2025.
For August 2025 alone, the command also generated ₦214.9 billion despite initial technical hitches that accompanied the introduction of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS).
On trade facilitation, Olomu recalled that Apapa Port played a pioneering role in Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including the first historic shipment under the Guided Trade Initiative in July 2024 and a subsequent shipment to Kenya in November of the same year.
He also stressed his administration’s success in promoting faster cargo clearance, dispute resolution, and compliance.
In anti-smuggling operations, the outgone CAC revealed that the command seized 75 containers of contraband within his tenure, comprising fake and expired medicaments, codeine syrup, tramadol, cannabis, used clothing, and other prohibited items.
With this impressive performance, Olomu, recently elevated to the management cadre of the Service as a ACG, bowed out from the leadership of the Apapa command command with a thunderous applause and commendations from stakeholders who believed he had left behind a big shoe for his successor,  Comptroller E.O.A. Oshoba.
The new Customs Area Controller pledged to sustain the achievements of his predecessor while bringing new energy into the command.
He commended Olomu’s record-breaking tenure and assured that he would build on the legacies of transparency, integrity, and modernization.
Oshoba outlined his leadership philosophy as “Look, Listen, and Learn,” noting that his immediate focus would be to understand the peculiar challenges of the command and collaborate with officers and stakeholders to address them.
The new helmsman called for renewed dedication and maximum cooperation, stressing that “no one succeeds alone.”
Comptroller Oshoba promised to deepen ongoing reforms under the Comptroller-General, especially in trade facilitation, ICT deployment, and global best practices.
He pledged to strengthen programs such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), Time Release Study (TRS), and Advanced Ruling (AR), while pushing the UCMS to greater heights.
“As Nigeria now chairs the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, we must uphold compliance, transparency, and innovation to maintain our leadership role in global customs administration,” Oshoba stated.
He assured stakeholders that his tenure would prioritize inclusiveness, innovation, and excellence, promising to “sustain the excellent records achieved and, by the grace of God, break new grounds for Nigeria through Apapa Port.”
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