Customs

FOU A mourns death of officer in anti-smuggling operations

– as unit intercepts 12 trailer loads of rice, PMS , vehicles , other contraband goods worth N3.3 billion.

Funso OLOJO

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A ,Lagos was in a pensive mood as it lost a gallant officer who succumbed to the brutality of the dare- devil smugglers Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026.

Breaking the tragic news while briefing the press on the anti- smuggling operations of the Unit, the Controller of FOU A , Lagos, Comptroller Gambo Aliu, who wore a mouthful look with other officers, disclosed that the deceased officer paid the supreme price while on active service.

Not deterred by this loss, Comptroller Aliu revealed that the unit made interception of 144 smuggling attempts with goods of different brands.

According to him, the seized items include 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg which is equivalent to eleven (12) trailer loads, 77 bags of foreign sugar, each weighing 50kg, 21 unit of assorted Tokunbo vehicles and 3,362 Jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil 25 litres each.

Others are 20,700 litres of PMS, 915 bales of used clothing and 1 X 20FT Container (SUDU 7640333) 20 Pallets of stone coated aluminium roofing sheets.

In addition, the unit intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1,431kg which significantly disrupted supply chains networks.

“Other notable seizures within the period under review include, four live pangolins intercepted along the waterways of Alapa Creek, Ajilete.

The seized endangered species, which are the most endangered mammals in the world, have since been handed to Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping.

The unit also recorded a seizure of 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle.

This seizure, according to Comptroller Aliu, is a vital win for Nigeria’s environment and public safety, considering its effects on environment.

He noted that the move reaffirms the commitment of the Unit to the Basel Convention (1989).

“Both Section 55(1), (d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023) & the Basel Convention relates to the control of Trans boundary hazardous waste movements, to protect developing nations like Nigeria.

“Used Compressors often carry hazardous oils, refrigerants, and residues that leach toxins into soil and emit Green House Gases (GHGs) like Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide among others that deplete the ozone layer, if not properly disposed.

” Section 55(1), (d) of NCS Act (2023) authorizes the seizure of prohibited imports that threaten the environment.

” This aligns our laws with international best practice in environmental protection”, the Customs Comptroller said.

Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a duty paid value (DPV) of N3,319.893,255.00 (Three Billion, Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira) only.

“In addition to these laudable achievements, the unit continues to enforce import and export compliance by addressing issues of misdeclaration of cargo and some Demand Notices (DN) were issued.

” Between 10th December 2025- date, a total of N 36,891,826 (Thirty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira) only was recovered.

“Our core mandate is to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain, through a rigorous gap analysis” Comptroller Aliu declared.

In line with the commitment of the NCS to foster inter-agency collaboration, the seized 3029 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 1, 425kg has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Related Topics:anti-smuggling Customs FOU A death

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Customs

Dera Nnadi bows out of Customs in a blaze of glory

Geraldine Samuel, Reporter

Dera Nnadi, a Deputy Comptroller- General of Customs(rtd), has dropped anchor of service in the Nigeria Customs and graceful bowed out of the agency in a blaze of glory.

In a commemorative retirement ceremony conducted by his appreciative colleagues at the Customs’ Headquarters, Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Nnadi was pulled out of the Service he has diligently served amidst glowing tributes.

Incidentally, his pull- out ceremony coincided with his 60th birthday.

Leading the management staff, men and officers of the service in paying moving tributes to the retiring Nnadi was the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who described DCG(rtd) Nnadi as an exemplary officer whose professionalism, discipline, and commitment to duty significantly strengthened the values and operational effectiveness of the NCS.

According to the CGC, the retirement ceremony provided an opportunity not only to celebrate a successful career but also to appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of officers who devote their lives to safeguarding the nation’s economic and border security interests.

He noted that Nnadi’s career reflects the core ideals of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in leadership, revenue generation and trade facilitation.

“Today is a moment of celebration and reflection. It is also an opportunity for us to thank Almighty God for the grace that has sustained our colleague throughout his years of service,” the CGC said.

The CGC also highlighted the personal and professional bond he shares with the retiree, noting that their relationship extends beyond official duties to family ties.

He expressed confidence that DCG Nnadi still possesses the energy and experience to continue contributing meaningfully to national development through academic and other professional engagements.

Members of the Service’s management team also paid glowing tributes to the retired DCG, commending his leadership qualities, integrity and mentorship.

Officers who served under him described him as a dependable leader who provided guidance and encouragement to younger personnel while strengthening the Service’s institutional capacity.

Responding to the honour, DCG Dera Nnadi (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, the management team, officers and Men of the Service for their support and cooperation throughout his career.

He described his years in the NCS as a fulfilling journey of growth, learning and service to the nation.

The ceremony featured the presentation of awards, gift items and commemorative photographs in honour of the distinguished officer.

Customs

Customs takes charge of implementation of National Single Window project

– rallies stakeholders for successful take-off

Funso OLOJO, Editor

As the preparations for the official launch of National Single Window(NSW) project on March 27th, 2026 gather momentum, the Nigeria Customs service may have been designated as the lead agency to drive the modernisation project.

This much was confirmed by the Director of the Project, Tola Fakolade who acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the NCS in the implementation process.

At one of the stakeholders sensitisation programmes in Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Fakolade declared “Our number one stakeholder is the NCS,”

“We have maintained a strong and constructive working relationship.

Customs’ participation and institutional experience are critical to the success of this project.” the project coordinator confirmed.

Confirming the lead role of the NCS, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the NSW as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.

She revealed that the NCS has been actively engaged in preparatory work for months to ensure that the framework being developed reflects operational realities and supports seamless implementation.

“This is a national project, but Customs is at the centre of its execution,” DCG Adebakin said.

“The success of the Single Window depends on collective understanding and cooperation. We must all appreciate its value because we cannot effectively promote what we do not fully understand.”

She reassured officers and stakeholders that the initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity rather than replace human resources, explaining that technology will enhance efficiency, transparency, and speed in cargo clearance and trade documentation processes.

Reaffirming the critical role of the service in the implementation of the NSW project, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Abuja stakeholders engagement with airlines and shipping companies held on March 4th, 2026, emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the successful rollout of the initiative.

He noted that the support of critical stakeholders has played a significant role in the achievements recorded in the Service’s modernisation journey so far.

Adeniyi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Service to take a bold step forward towards a successful launch of the National Single Window, a move aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in global trade.

He added that airline and shipping line operators remain vital partners in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system.

He further assured stakeholders that adequate support structures are being put in place to ease the migration process.

“A help desk with well-trained personnel will be available to address any operational challenges that may arise during the rollout”, the Comptroller-General stated.

The NCS described the National Single Window as a strategic reform that aligns with Customs’ mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and inter-agency coordination.

With the NCS spearheading coordination and stakeholder engagement, the NSW project is expected to transform Nigeria’s trade environment, enhance revenue generation, and strengthen the country’s position in the global trading community.

Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor

The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious

trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.

According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.

Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.

The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.

Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.

“For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.

He said the feat was a reflection of

the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.

Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.

He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.

These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.

Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.

The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very credible information shared by the CGC.

In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.

Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.