….makes 3,555 seizures, DPV of ₦35.29 billion in 2024, says CGC Adeniyi
By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) said the Service collected a total sum of ₦6,105,315,543,489.50 (Six Trillion, One Hundred and Five Billion, Three Hundred and Fifteen Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Nine Naira, Fifty Kobo), surpassing its target of ₦5,079,069,866,085.50 by ₦1,026,245,677,404.00, representing a 20.2% increase above the target.
Comptroller General of Custom, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who disclosed this on Tuesday at press briefing on the activities of NCS for 2024, said NCS has targeted #6.58trn for 2025.
He also declosed that in it’s Anti-Smuggling Enforcement efforts, it made a total of 3,555 seizures throughout last year, with a
dramatic 100.92% increase in the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seizures from
₦17.56 billion in 2023 to ₦35.29 billion in 2024.
“NCS adapted its strategies to these evolving security challenges resulting in the 3,555 seizures throughout the year, with a
dramatic 100.92% increase in the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seizures from
₦17.56 billion in 2023 to ₦35.29 billion in 2024. These seizures, with a Cost,
Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value of ₦28.46 billion and total duty of ₦6.83 bil-
lion, highlights the scale of attempted economic sabotage prevented by the Ser-
vice.
“The recorded seizures included traditional and emerging risks to Nigeria’s
Economic and overall national Security. Particularly noteworthy were the seizures of arms and ammunition, includ-
ing 900 arms and 113,472 rounds of ammunition and the interception of narcotics
and other illicit drugs, resulting in 105 seizures across various forms that was
aided by the declaration of a state of emergency at our major entry points.
“Additionally, significant seizures were made of other restricted items including 3,785 bales of textiles valued
at ₦945.9 million, and various quantities of footwear, beverages, and other con-
sumer goods, protecting local industries and supporting the government’s eco-
nomic diversification agenda. The Service also recorded 397 seizures of vehicles
valued at ₦5.64 billion, as we continue to enforce import regulations and protect
government revenue.,” he stated.
He explained that the
Service also intercepted unauthorized pharmaceutical products, with 40 seizures
including 175,676 pieces and 6,271 cartons of various medicaments valued at
₦3.04 billion, protecting public health from potentially dangerous counterfeit
drugs.
The Service’s enforcement activities also revealed evolving patterns in en-
vironmental and wildlife crimes, with 76 seizures of animal/wildlife products val-
ued at ₦5.93 billion.
“We also maintained vigilance over trade-sensitive goods, as
evidenced by the seizure of 183,527 bags of rice.”
The CGC revealed that NCS strategic priorities for 2025 will focus on five key areas of full deployment of trade modernization initiatives, including the nationwide rollout of the B’Odogwu platform; complete implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme; and enhancement of our risk management and enforcement capabilities through technology integration; operationalization of the Nigeria Customs Service University for Trade and Technology.
Others are strengthening of international partnerships and trade facilitation initiatives under the AfCFTA framework; implementation and roll out of a robust CSR strategy aligned with the pillars of the Presidential Priority Areas and the Sustainable Development Goals; and promotion of open governance through enhanced transparency, stakeholder engagement, and public access to customs information and processes.
According to him, the mounting sophistication of smuggling networks also necessitated a
corresponding elevation in the enforcement capabilities, leading to enhanced col-
laboration with national and international partners and the deployment of ad-
vanced detection approaches.
“Worthy of note is the launch of operation Whirl-wind with the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and
the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority
(NMDPRA) under the Nigeria Petroleum Corporation Limited (NN This
operation resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of petroleum productsotalling 1,716,656 litres from saboteurs diverting petroleum products intended
for home use to neighbouring countries.
“Most significantly, our enforcement ac-
tivities have yielded 55 arrests of suspects currently under investigations as we
continue to dismantle the criminal networks behind these activities. This compre-
hensive approach to enforcement, aligned with both national security objectives
and international obligations, positions the NCS as a crucial actor in the nation’s
security architecture as we continue to facilitate legitimate trade.”
