Gloria Odion,  Maritme reporter 

‎The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom (CR/CFTZ/AK) Area Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing to address security challenges, facilitate legitimate trade and enhance operational efficiency.
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‎The commitment was reinforced during a series of familiarization visits by the Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Dr Nkiru Nwala to the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
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‎During the visits, Nwala held discussions with the NSCDC Commandant, C. E. Okarazu; the Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service, Aniekan Archibong Nya; and the State Director of the DSS, Dr Faluyi Oluwole.
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‎The engagements provided an opportunity to strengthen existing institutional relationships, establish direct communication channels and explore practical ways to improve cooperation among the agencies following Nwala’s assumption of duty.
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‎The Acting Area Controller emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies in tackling common security threats, promoting compliance with relevant laws and protecting the nation’s economic and security interests.
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‎The visits emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated operations in tackling security threats, safeguarding national assets and facilitating legitimate trade.
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‎The Command noted that stronger partnerships among the agencies would enhance operational coordination, support the enforcement of relevant laws and contribute to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.
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‎The initiative aligns with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ strategic mantra of Consolidation, Innovation and Collaboration, which prioritises strengthening existing partnerships, embracing innovative approaches to operational challenges and promoting effective cooperation among relevant institutions.
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‎The Command reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with sister security agencies to strengthen national security, facilitate legitimate trade and advance the broader objectives of national development.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Media Anti-Corruption Initiative (MACI) has applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for introducing a comprehensive anti-corruption framework aimed at identifying institutional vulnerabilities, strengthening internal controls and promoting integrity across the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The initiative, which MACI described as a significant milestone in the fight against corruption within the Service, is anchored on three key documents signed by the Customs chief: the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Internal Corruption Risk Analysis and Mapping (ICRAM), the ICRAM Handbook and the Integrity Action Plan (IAP).

In a statement jointly signed by MACI President,  Funso Olojo, and Project Coordinator, Lod Onyeji, the organisation described the development as a “pivotal moment in the fight against corruption within the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Mr Olojo, who commended the initiative of the Customs, noted that the stance of the agency on corruption is in alignment with the aims and objectives of MACI which is an advocate for corruption- free society.

The signing ceremony, held on October 6th, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, also witnessed the inauguration of the ICRAM Steering Committee, which is responsible for identifying, assessing and mapping corruption risks across the Service’s operations.

According to the statement, the framework represents a proactive institutional approach to tackling corruption by identifying vulnerabilities in Customs processes and establishing measures to prevent abuse of office, improve accountability and strengthen public confidence in the Service.

The Comptroller-General, Adeniyi, disclosed that the framework was developed in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and partner administrations, including His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom.

He explained that the documents provide practical guidance for Customs officers operating at seaports, land borders and airports, equipping them with procedures and controls designed to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.

MACI noted that the introduction of the framework followed a pilot programme conducted across seven Customs Commands and Units, covering 66 processes spanning regulatory activities, core Customs operations and support functions.

The exercise culminated in the development of a comprehensive Integrity Action Plan containing 101 action items and 295 sub-actions designed to address identified corruption risks and strengthen institutional safeguards.

Key measures outlined in the plan include increased automation and improved audit trails, stronger supervisory mechanisms, clearer accountability structures, effective segregation of duties, regular staff rotations and targeted training programmes.

The framework also seeks to strengthen controls governing interactions between Customs officers and stakeholders, an area considered critical to reducing opportunities for corrupt practices and improving compliance with established procedures.

MACI commended the Customs leadership for adopting a risk-based approach to corruption prevention, noting that identifying and addressing institutional weaknesses before they are exploited is essential to building a transparent and accountable public institution.

The organisation, however, stressed that the effectiveness of the initiative would ultimately depend on the consistent implementation of the prescribed measures across all commands and operational units of the Service.

It therefore urged Customs management, officers, stakeholders and relevant partner institutions to support the full implementation of the framework to ensure that the initiative delivers measurable improvements in institutional integrity.

MACI expressed confidence that effective implementation of the ICRAM framework and Integrity Action Plan would strengthen internal controls, reduce corruption risks, promote ethical conduct and enhance public trust in the Nigeria Customs Service.

The organisation emphasised that the new framework should not merely remain a collection of policy documents but should translate into tangible changes in operational practices, staff conduct and the overall culture of accountability within the Service.

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter 
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‎The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, on Wednesday, 30th September 2026, welcomed Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni as the unit’s 30th Acting Comptroller, following the retirement of Comptroller Gambo Aliyu after a distinguished career in the Service.
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‎The formal handing-over ceremony, held at the unit’s conference hall, was attended by colleagues, friends, well-wishers, senior Customs officers and other stakeholders.
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‎ Among those present were the Acting Customs Area Controllers of the Port and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML), Ogun 1 Area Command, and the Enugu/Ebonyi/Anambra Area Command.
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‎Addressing officers and stakeholders for the first time as Acting Comptroller, DC Afeni pledged to provide purposeful, professional and accountable leadership in advancing the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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‎He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi  and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him.
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‎The new Acting Comptroller said his administration would strengthen intelligence- led enforcement,tackle revenue leakages and safeguard Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
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‎He said that enforcement operations under his leadership would remain firm, lawful and respectful of human dignity, while legitimate trade would be facilitated through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders.
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‎DC Afeni also called for stronger collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies to combat trans -border crimes, particularly the illicit movement of drugs, arms, currencies, counterfeit goods and other prohibited items across the Nigeria border.
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‎He also pledged to prioritise officers’ welfare and professional development, strengthen institutional discipline and encourage regular sporting activities to promote physical fitness, teamwork and work-life balance among personnel.

‎In his handing-over address, the immediate past Comptroller, retired Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, expressed gratitude to God and the Service, describing the ceremony as an important transition in leadership and an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities and challenges of commanding the unit.
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‎Comptroller Aliyu said his administration persevered on combating smuggling, revenue fraud, concealment, under-declaration, false declaration and the illicit movement of prohibited goods.
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‎The report,according to him includes, recorded 779 seizures during his tenure, involving various prohibited and illegally imported items, including:
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‎- More than 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice;
‎- 61 used vehicles;
‎- Thousands of used compressors and clothing items;
‎- Foreign poultry products;
‎- 4,418 jerrycans of vegetable oil;
‎- 12,606 parcels of cannabis weighing 6,194.3kg;
‎- 2.30kg of cocaine;
‎- More than 3,000 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 76,505 litres; and
‎- 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg.
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‎According to him, the seizures had a combined duty-paid value of ₦13,075,056,616.00.

‎On revenue recovery, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the unit recovered ₦3,192,511,547.52 between 10 December 2025 and 24 September 2026.
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‎He said the figure represented 798 per cent of the unit’s ₦400 million annual revenue recovery target for 2026, while also recording a 776 per cent increase over the ₦411,451,901.18 recovered during the corresponding period in 2025.
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‎Aliyu attributed the performance to strengthen risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, targeted examination of suspicious declarations, teamwork,and collaboration with sister agencies and stakeholders.
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‎He stressed that effective enforcement required collective efforts, noting that “no enforcement agency can succeed in isolation.”
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‎Concluding his address, the retired Comptroller congratulated his successor and expressed confidence that the new administration would build on the operational foundation already established.
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‎He urged DC Afeni to lead with fairness, firmness, courage and sound judgment, while assuring him of the cooperation and support necessary to sustain the unit’s mandate.
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‎Comptroller Aliyu also commended officers of the unit for their loyalty, discipline and resilience throughout his tenure.
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‎He prayed for the success of the new leadership, the continued growth of the Nigeria Customs Service and the security and prosperity of Nigeria.