Connect with us

Customs

Apapa Customs intercepts six containers of stolen exotic cars, unregistered pharmaceuticals .

—breaks daily revenue record with N18.919 billion in May
Funso OLOJO 
The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted two exotic cars stolen from Canada.
The stolen cars are among other illicit goods intercepted in six containers which comprised unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and used clothing.
Conducting newsmen round the seizures on Thursday, May 22nd, 2024, the Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, put the Duty Paid Value(DPV) of the intercepted consignment at N3.247billion.
Vowing that Apapa port is no longer a safe haven for illicit traders, Comptroller Olomu disclosed the the seizure, which came on the heels of 12 containers seized two weeks ago, was made possible through international collaboration.
“The seizures can be broken down into three categories.
Category  1: Container No.SUDU 8685733(40FT)was found to contain 1,698  of  RTPL  CSC  Cough  syrup  with  codeine  concealed   in  202 packages of water closet.
“Container No.MRSU 4846204(40FT)was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat.The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400,000.00(Two billion,seven hundred and ten million,four hundred thousand naira only).
“Interestingly,these two containers   were    intercepted   as    a   result    of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“Category  2: Container  No.ONEU  1153150(40  FT) found to contain 1,584
packages  of  Globatin   anti-marks   &30g   Clobetasol   cream   falsely declared as TRUCK TYRES.
” Container   No.MRSU   3258823(40   FT)   was found to contain Rabeprazole,for injection,25mg Zahifranil tablets,1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride,ciprophetadine    with    vitamin  B complex,and  other  pharmaceutical  products  without   NAFDAC   registration   number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
“Category  3:  Container  No.MRKU 0904594(40  FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada.A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely  declared  as food  items.
“While container No.SEKU 4716830 (40 FT)was found to contain 390  bales  of  used  clothing  which contravene the  import prohibition law” Olomu revealed.
He declared that the command would not sacrifice compliance to the import guidelines and other import extant laws, especially Customs Act ,2023, on the altar of trade facilitation.
“Therefore,while we facilitate trade,collect revenue for government,the NCS owes the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing”
” As   officers   at   the   nation’s   largest,busiest   and   premier   port,we   are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances” Olomu declared.
He disclosed that three suspects have so far  been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
Olomu also disclosed that the command has crossed the one trillion – naira collection before the end of the fifth month, having generated a total of #1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target.
“Like we’ve done before,we are ready to do better this year” Olomu thumbed his chest.
” Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests  to  our  capacity  to  do   more.
“For   instance,in  October  2024,we collected  #18.2   billion, on  March   14th, 2025,we  recorded  a  feat   of  #18.9 billion and on 20th, May,2025,we made another record-breaking collection of #18.919 billion ” the Apapa CAC revealed.
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Customs

FOU A bursts 473 smuggling operations in 8 weeks, records major seizures with N5.5billion DPV

– plans relocation to new ultra- modern Iperu headquarters 
Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
The Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, Lagos, has foiled about 473 major smuggling operations across its areas of coverage within the last eight week.
Making this disclosure on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 was the Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu while giving account of the performance of the Unit.
According to him, the operations led to the seizure of a wide range of prohibited and contraband items, including 8,794 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 15 trailer loads), 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors and  328 bales of used clothing.
Others were 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, sugar and other food items, as well as 531 cartons of frozen poultry products.
In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the Unit launched a special operation codenamed Operation Hawk, targeting illicit drug networks.
This resulted in the seizure of 3,340 parcels of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” weighing 1,540kg.
He emphasized that the operation reflects the Unit’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates and curb the spread of illicit substances.
In a related development, officers at the Gbaji outpost, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a vehicle along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor conveying hard drugs.
The suspect arrested with the prohibited items, a 71-year-old Nigerian, was found in possession of 6.4kg of cocaine and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion.
Several arrests were made across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States in connection with these seizures.
Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the seized narcotics have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration frameworks.
The Unit also recorded the seizure of four cylinders of high-grade mercury, a controlled substance under the Minamata Convention, concealed in a vehicle.
The suspect and items has been transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further action.
Beyond seizures, the Unit achieved significant revenue recovery, recording a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦5,504,039,720 within the review period.
Additionally, ₦97,703,596.55 was recovered through the issuance of Demand Notices on improperly declared consignments.
Comptroller Aliyu highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize operations through the deployment of advanced technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, drone surveillance, and predictive analytics.
These tools, he noted, are enhancing intelligence-led enforcement, improving response times, and disrupting smuggling networks across the Zone.
He further disclosed that the Unit will soon commence a phased relocation to its newly commissioned ultra-modern headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State.
The facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre designed to support real-time monitoring, data analytics, and improved inter-agency coordination.
Reaffirming the Unit’s dual mandate, Comptroller Aliyu stressed that while enforcement remains a priority, the FOU Zone ‘A’ is equally committed to facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that compliant traders are not unduly hindered.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and strategic direction, as well as to stakeholders and the media for their continued support.
The Comptroller reiterated the Unit’s determination to sustain its crackdown on economic sabotage, protect national revenue, and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment.
The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, has reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economy across the South-West region.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, Comptroller Aliyu stated that the Unit has strengthened enforcement measures in line with the Federal Government’s fiscal policies and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He noted that through enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration, the Unit successfully intercepted 473 smuggling attempts within an eight-week period.
Continue Reading

Customs

Oyo/Osun Customs Command collects 27.2billon revenue in Q1 2026

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has posted an impressive 95% increase in revenue collection in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Led by Acting Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, the command generated ₦27.2 billion between January and March 2026, up from ₦13.97 billion in Q1 2025.
A breakdown of the generated revenue revealed that the command raked in a total sum of N5,977,766,941.65 in January 2026 which was about N2 billion lower (23% down) than the total sum of N7,804,408,776.88 collected in the same period of 2025.
However, despite a dip in January, revenue rebounded strongly in February and March.
 In February , the command’s revenue collection jumped up astronomically to a total sum of N8,767,974,864.40 against the very low total revenue of N2,289,193,870 realized in the corresponding period of 2025.
This year’s February revenue is over 383% higher than the revenue collected the same period last year.
February’s performance was the standout, with collections nearly quadrupling year-on-year.
In March 2026, Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative ingenuity and thoroughness further shored up the revenue generation of the command in the month under review to a total sum of N12,454,516,158.62.
 In the corresponding period  of last year, the command’s generated revenue was a patry sum of N3,877,668,667.
This year’s March revenue achievement represents 321% rise over last year’s.
 Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative reforms and enforcement measures are credited with driving the surge.
Overall, the command’s Q1 results underscore a significant improvement in efficiency and compliance, positioning Oyo/Osun as one of the strongest performing Customs Commands in the country.
Continue Reading

Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
Continue Reading

Trending