Customs

Customs intercepts over 108,775 litres of PMS on Adamawa Waterways

Funso OLOJO

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a large consignment of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being smuggled through the River Benue into the Republic of Cameroon, marking one of the biggest anti-fuel smuggling operations recorded in Adamawa State in recent months.

The intelligence driven interception was carried out in the early hours of Thursday, 6 November 2025 under the leadership of the National Coordinator Operation Whirlwind, ACG Kolapo Oladeji.

ACG Kolade stated that the development was made possible after a special tactical team mounted a covert surveillance position near Ribadu Loading Bay, a notorious route known for illicit fuel movement into Cameroon.

“As the smugglers began transferring the products onto the vessel, the Customs team advanced and issued commands for them to halt.” the National Coordinator said.

He added, “Given the terrain and visibility challenges, operatives prioritised securing the contraband and preventing the boat from escaping across the international waterway.”

He stated that a further sweep of the area, supported by the North-Eastern Marine Command, led to the discovery of a second wooden boat already laden with petrol-filled drums and jerrycans.

The two vessels, according to ACG Oladeji, were piloted to Jimeta waterside in Yola, where their contents were evacuated into trucks and moved to a secured Customs facility for documentation.

Meanwhile, a 100 per cent examination later revealed a staggering haul of 485 drums of 220 litres each and 83 jerrycans of 25 litres each, amounting to a total of 108,775 litres of PMS.

“Given the volatile nature of the product, prompt conduct of a public auction in accordance with established guidelines was recommended to NCS, Headquarters” he highlighted.

The National Coordinator said the operation reflects the Service’s renewed resolve to suppress cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, protect Nigeria’s economic interests, and enforce government regulations on fuel movement in the border regions.

He noted that smuggling PMS across Nigeria’s northern and eastern waterways has remained a major threat to national energy security, as the products are often ferried in large quantities into neighbouring countries for profiteering.

Customs

Customs, NDLEA bust major drug syndicate, seize 9 containers of illicit goods worth N53.39 Billion at Apapa port

Funso OLOJO and Gloria Odion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit trade with the interception of nine containers laden with narcotics, expired pharmaceutical products and falsified medicines valued at N53.391 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

Speaking during the unveiling of the seizures on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology.

According to Adeniyi, the containers, which initially appeared to contain legitimate imports, were subjected to detailed intelligence analysis and verification that exposed sophisticated concealment methods used by the syndicate.

The seizures comprised:
A 40-foot container (CAAU7569127) containing 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.

Another 40-foot container (HAMU3246311) conveying 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, hidden with two imported vehicles and household items.

A 40-foot container (MRKU3816476) loaded with 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

Another container (TGBU5399178) containing 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, hidden inside 36 cartons of casserole products.

Container HASU4519480 carrying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol (Timakadol).

Container MRKU4961275 containing 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazepine tablets (Termigral brand).

Container PCIU8771576 conveying expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections.

A 20-foot container (MRKU6964435) loaded with Piccan Teething Powder.

Container TCKU7000791 carrying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number (04-6646) and an expiry date of December 2028.

Adeniyi explained that the narcotic consignments would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the expired and falsified pharmaceutical products would be transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation, regulatory action and safe disposal.

“In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA will today be formally handed over to the Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

“Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.

“The remaining goods shall remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law,” the CGC stated.

He stressed that the seizures represented far more than their monetary value.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance and dedication, while also praising the sustained collaboration among the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.

“We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the security of our nation.

“Together with our partner agencies, we remain steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country,” he added.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed that the interception of 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud was the outcome of a painstaking intelligence-driven operation undertaken by the agency’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with foreign partners, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to Marwa, intelligence gathering and surveillance lasted for more than four months before the containers were intercepted.

“Over four months, actionable intelligence was carefully developed, and our marine surveillance officers tracked the vessels and containers throughout their journey until both were successfully intercepted,” he said.

The operation underscores the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and international intelligence sharing in disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks and preventing dangerous narcotics and counterfeit medicines from reaching the Nigerian market.

Customs

Wale Adeniyi, CGC, bags one-year tenure extension as WCO Council Chairman

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Few days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, by an additional six months, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has also renewed his tenure as Chairman of its Council for another one year.

The decision was unanimously endorsed by member countries during the 147th and 148th sessions of the WCO Council held in Brussels, Belgium, reaffirming the confidence of the global customs community in Adeniyi’s leadership.

Addressing members of the NCS management team who gave him a rousing welcome on his return to Nigeria on Monday, June 29, 2026, Adeniyi revealed that he had travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship but was instead entrusted with another one-year mandate.

“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different. The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

Adeniyi made history in June 2025 when he became the first Nigerian to be elected Chairman of the WCO Council, the highest decision-making body of the global customs organisation.

The renewal of his international mandate comes just days after President Tinubu approved a six-month extension of his tenure as Comptroller-General of Customs, a development widely seen as a strong endorsement of his leadership, reform initiatives and outstanding performance both nationally and internationally.

In recognition of the milestone, the NCS management team presented the Comptroller-General with a symbolic souvenir to celebrate his exemplary leadership and contributions to the transformation of the Service.

Responding to the gesture, Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the management team for their unwavering support, describing the honour as a reflection of the unity, professionalism and shared commitment that exist within the Nigeria Customs Service.

The renewed confidence reposed in him by both the Federal Government and the international customs community is expected to further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing reform agenda, deepen global partnerships, enhance trade facilitation and reinforce Nigeria’s growing influence in international customs administration.

Customs

Wale Adeniyi,CGC, bags tenure extension as WCO Chairman

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Few days after his tenure as the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria customs service was renewed by additional six months by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the World Customs Organization(WCO), has also followed suit by the renewal of the tenure of Adewale Adeniyi as the Council Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The council members, at the 147th and 148th WCO sessions at Brussels, Belgium, were unanimous in their decision to allow Adeniyi to continue as the Chairman of the global Customs body.

While addressing his management team which gave his a rousing welcome on his return on Monday, June, 29th, 2026, the CGC said he went to Brussels to hand over but was rather rewarded with tenure extension.

“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different.

” The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

Adeniyi was elected as the Chairman of the global Customs body in June 2025 as the first Nigerian to be so honored.

The renewal of his Council Chairmanship coincides with the renewal of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the CGC by another six months, thus confirming the national and global recognition of his capacity, leadership qualities and exceptional performance as number one customs officer in Nigeria and the world.

Recognizing the rare feat achieved by the CGC, his management team welcomed him from the WCO council sessions with a symbolic souvenir that showed their love to their principal and exemplary leadership and contributions to the growth and transformation of the NCS.

Responding, CGC Adeniyi thanked the management team for their unwavering support, describing the gesture as a reflection of the unity and shared commitment within the Service.

He disclosed that he travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship of the WCO Council but was instead entrusted with another one-year mandate by members of the Council.

The renewed international mandate, alongside the extension of his tenure as CGC, reinforces confidence in his leadership and is expected to further advance the Service’s reform agenda, international partnerships, and trade facilitation efforts.