Nigeria Customs Services

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is mourning the sudden loss of Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien, who died on June 25, 2024, while presenting before the National Assembly House Committee on Public Accounts. 

According to customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwadah, Essien, 56, who was in charge of revenue reconciliation, complained of discomfort and requested water during his presentation before collapsing.

Despite immediate attempts to revive him, he sadly passed away. 

With over 30 years of service, Essien was a dedicated and valued member of the NCS team, known for his exceptional service record and diligence in the Accounts Unit.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, expressed his condolences to Essien’s family, describing his loss as a significant blow to the entire NCS community. 

Deputy Comptroller Essien is survived by his wife and children. 

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched “Operation Whirlwind,” a targeted offensive against petroleum product smugglers, and has already recorded significant seizures and disruptions to smuggling operations. 

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi announced on Monday that the service had intercepted 150,950 liters of PMS, valued at N105,965,391, in various locations nationwide within a week. 

The CGC attributed the success to credible intelligence and strategic efforts to address fuel smuggling, which has seen a significant increase in recent months, particularly in Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, and Katsina states. 

The service has collaborated with the Office of the National Security Adviser to dismantle smuggling cartels and defend the national currency. 

Notable seizures include 45,000 liters of PMS in a tanker at Mubi, Adamawa State, on May 31 and June 1, and 92,928 liters of PMS in jerry cans at various locations in Adamawa, Sokoto, and Cross River states between June 3 and 7. 

The total value of seizures stands at N196,524,075.50, raising concerns about national security and economic sabotage. 

The CGC lamented the increase in smuggling and vowed to continue the operation to ensure Nigerians benefit from fuel price deregulation, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command (WMC), has handed over 17 sacks of seized Cannabis Sativa worth over N96 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). 

According to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, the seizures were made by a patrol team at the Bar Beach station in Lagos, following credible intelligence on the movement of a boat carrying suspected offending items. 

The team intercepted a fibre boat carrying the suspected items, which, upon examination, revealed 1,257 loaves of Cannabis sativa weighing 720 kg. 

In a related development, Officers also intercepted a wooden boat carrying 505 bags of foreign parboiled rice with a Duty Paid Value of N59,185,000. 

The Customs Area Controller appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs and Management for their motivation and appealed to the trading public not to engage in illicit trade. 

Receiving the items, Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Marine Operation, NDLEA, Bashir Magaji, commended the service for the fight against smuggling and assured thorough investigations and further actions.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Saidu Yusuf has assumed leadership of Nigeria Customs Service Zone A Headquarters, succeeding ACG Hammi Swomen who retired after 35 years of service.

The handover ceremony took place at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Headquarters on May 29, 2024. 

Outgoing ACG Swomen expressed gratitude to God, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team for their support.

He also commended the Area Controllers within the Zone, saying, “I’m leaving Zone A in good hands. I believe in your competence, and I know we will celebrate a better result than last year.” 

Incoming Zonal Coordinator ACG Yusuf praised his predecessor as “principled, hardworking, and intelligent.”

He sought cooperation from officers within the zone, saying, “Let us engage stakeholders and ourselves to move this service forward. We have one goal: to succeed and leave Nigeria Customs Service better than we met it.” 

Customs Area Controllers within the zone hailed the outgoing ACG as a “thoroughbred professional” who shared his experience generously.

They pledged support to the incoming zonal coordinator, ACG Yusuf, as he begins his tenure.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has inaugurated a new tactical team, Operation Whirlwind, aimed at combating the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries. 

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, CGC Adeniyi stated the crucial role the team will play in protecting the nation’s economy from the adverse effects of smuggling petroleum products.

“Economic saboteurs must be brought to justice,” he declared. The team, which was set up to curb smuggling, particularly of petroleum products diverted to neighbouring countries, will undergo a workshop to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out their mission. CGC Adeniyi highlighted the significance of the workshop and the strategic importance of the new operation.

“This is not a task force or the setting up of checkpoints,” he clarified.

“This is an intelligence-driven operation that will support the political will at the highest level. Our dedication and loyalty must not be compromised. There will be serious consequences against whoever acts against this mission. There is zero tolerance for sabotage.” 

The team was urged to work together to achieve their mission, with CGC Adeniyi stressing that “you were selected because you can do the job. Your coordinator’s record is impeccable, and your assignment can’t succeed without you working as a team. You are to complement the existing structure. You are not going as competitors; you are going to fight people sabotaging our efforts.” 

The Director of Legal Services is scheduled to educate the team on the proper procedures for filing seizures, ensuring that all legal aspects of their operations are handled correctly. 

The inauguration of Operation Whirlwind marks a significant step in Nigeria’s fight against smuggling and economic sabotage.

As the team prepares to embark on their mission, the Comptroller-General of Customs asserts that the expectation is clear: to protect Nigeria’s economic interests with unwavering dedication and integrity.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Comptroller Kola Oladeji, head of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, visited the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and synergy between the two organizations. 

During the courtesy call, Comptroller Oladeji stated the strategic importance of Ogun state to the Nigeria Customs Service’s operations, particularly in the Southwest border areas.

He expressed appreciation for the cordial relationship between the Police Force and the NCS, stating, “We consider Ogun state strategic to our operations… and we have been benefiting from our relationship with the Nigeria Police.” 

Commissioner Alamutu welcomed the visit, highlighting the strong partnership between the agencies in maintaining peace and security in the state.

He reassured the NCS of the Ogun State Command’s commitment to collaborative efforts. Comptroller Oladeji also visited His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro & Paramount Ruler of Yewa Land, to strengthen Customs Community Relations in Ilaro Community.

He explained that the visit was in line with the Comptroller General of Customs’ directive to engage with border communities and familiarize themselves with local customs. 

The Olu of Ilaro acknowledged the cordial relationship between Customs and the community, praising the professionalism displayed by Customs officers. He assured his support and offered prayers for a successful reign. 

These visits demonstrate the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration and community engagement in Ogun state.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In a bid to strengthen customs community relations, Comptroller Kola Oladeji of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has embarked on a familiarisation visit to traditional rulers in the South West Zone. 

During the visit, Comptroller Oladeji met with several traditional rulers, including the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Onikpokia of Ikpokia Kingdom, Oba Yisa Adeniyi Olaniyan, and the Olu of Owode Yewa Land, Oba Matthew Akindele. 

Comptroller Oladeji noted the importance of community support in achieving the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) mandates, stating, “We attach much importance to these communities and seek the blessing and guidance of Royal Fathers to strengthen customs community relations.” 

He stated the innovative approaches introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which have enhanced the service’s performance. 

The Olu of Owode Yewa Land, Oba Matthew Akindele, appreciated the improved relationship between the customs service and the community, stating, “The chaos we experienced with customs officers has reduced drastically, thank you for that, and we also thank the federal government.” 

He also requested employment opportunities for youths and a more cordial relationship to foster peace and tranquility in the community. 

Comptroller Oladeji assured the traditional rulers that the NCS would continue to discharge its responsibilities within the ambits of the law and observations of rules of engagement.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, decorated 13 members of his management team with their new ranks on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the careers of the 5 Deputy Comptroller-Generals and 8 Assistant Comptroller-Generals who were promoted following the approval of their appointments by the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. 

According to the service’s spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the appointments followed due process and adhered to the Federal Character Commission’s laws and principles of seniority.

The promoted officers were chosen for their dedication and commitment to the service. 

Before decorating the officers, CGC Adeniyi charged them to redouble their devotion and determination to promote the Nigeria Customs Service selflessly.

He urged them to intensify their contribution to the fight against smuggling, revenue generation, and trade facilitation. The customs boss also noted the importance of shared vision among the new heads of departments to fulfill the mandate for each department. The decorated officers include: – Suleiman Bomai, DCG/Commander Training and Doctrine Command- Bello Jibo, DCG in charge of Enforcement Inspection & Investigation- Beatrice Nwafor, DCG in charge of Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives- Caroline Niagwan, DCG Tariff & Trade- Baba Imam, ACG Board- Adekunle Oloyode, ACG Trade & Tariff- Sambo Dangaladima, ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘B’- Abdulrazaq Abdulazeez, ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘D’- Sai’du Yusuf, ACG Human Resource Development- NP Umoh, ACG Training and Doctrine Command- Charles Obih, ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘C’- Ciroma Sulaiman, ACG Strategic Research and Policy The Comptroller-General described discipline and setting a good example for junior officers as very important. He said, “I must emphasise, as usual, that this level of your placement in the service requires your utmost discipline at all times. You must conduct yourselves in a manner that sets a good example for the officers behind you.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, led a team to the Headquarters of Huawei in Shenzhen, China, on Thursday, May 9, 2024, to explore opportunities for the Nigeria Customs Service Trade Modernization Project.

The visit was part of the CGC’s official trip to China for the 6th Global AEO Conference, held in Shenzhen from May 8-10, 2024. 

During the visit, CGC Adeniyi stated, “We are delighted to associate with the Global Leader Technology Services through the Team of Trade Modernization.”

This follows the Nigeria Customs Service’s expression of interest in deploying Huawei’s latest products for its trade modernisation project during the Huawei Connect 2023 in Shanghai last October. 

The CGC urged Huawei’s leadership to sustain their digitalisation services to the NCS and sought their support to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service on its transformative journey.

Xujing Xu, Huawei’s Vice President of Smart Transportation, welcomed the delegation and expressed confidence that their collaboration will benefit all parties involved, noting that “the foundational work for this transformation is already underway.” 

The TMP Chairman, Saleh Ahmadu, praised Huawei for living up to expectations in delivering its mandate under the Trade Modernization Project Limited.

He appreciated the support of the CGC and his management team towards the success of the NCS Trade Modernization Project. 

The CGC and the Trade Modernization Project team also visited Lantan Port to witness the level of automation and technological solutions provided by Huawei and other tech partners.

Also, Huawei organised a training program on Trends and Digital Solutions for Customs officials and the Trade Modernization Project team, focusing on equipping officials with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape of modern trade.

A separate training on Business Management, themed “The Journey of Huawei’s Continuous Growth”, aimed to enhance the capacity of officials to manage trade facilitation in Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) to enhance bilateral trade and economic growth. 

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, who led a management team to Shenzhen, China, on May 8, 2024, noted the significance of the partnership, stating, “The relationship will create a cooperative mechanism for NCS and the GACC to collaborate on supply chain security standards and enhance the economic stability of both nations.” 

CGC Adeniyi expressed optimism that the MoU will boost import-export operations and benefit Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

He also showed the exponential rise in e-commerce development, saying, “We know a lot of Nigerian companies and SMEs take advantage of the opportunities aided through e-commerce.” 

Representing Vice Minister Sun Yuning, Mr. Wang Lingjun of the General Administration of Customs signed the MoU on behalf of China and praised

CGC Adeniyi’s vision for the partnership, stating that it will create opportunities for Nigeria and China to collaborate on a wide range of economic issues and trade facilitation. 

The CGC appreciated the interest shown by China in signing the MoU and acknowledged the significant trade volume between the two nations, saying, “China is making the biggest trade in Nigeria, and the basic context of International Trade is ‘your export is our import’.” 

This development is expected to strengthen trade relations between Nigeria and China, promoting economic growth and cooperation between the two nations.