The Nigeria Customs Service says smugglers used official-looking Presidency plate numbers on vehicles in an apparent attempt to evade customs checks, as the Kano/Jigawa Area Command intensified its anti-smuggling operations.
Nigeria Customs
The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command has intercepted smuggled vehicles with Presidency Plate numbers in attempt to invade the service control.
Besides, the Area has generated N25 Billion between July and August, 2026 putting the current revenue generation between January to August at N88,925,099,742.70 Billion.
Briefing journalists on the revenue performance and update on the other activities, Acting Comptroller of Customs of Customs, Usman Adamu revealed that the area command recorded N14 billion in one month, the highest revenue generated in a month.
Comptroller Adamu disclosed what he described as new trend of smugglers flagging official plate numbers on smuggled vehicles to invade customs control.
Apart from the labelled vehicles, Adamu revealed interception of 8 units of suspected diverted transit truck heads with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N300,905,856 million and 7 units of different brands of smuggled vehicles with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N410,542,056 million.
The Area Controller of Customs further revealed arrest of foreign consumables including parboiled Rice, Vegetable oil, Spaghetti, and unregistered pharmaceuticals constituting economic sabotage to the country.
According to him, “In line with our mandate and the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economy, public health, national security and environment. The Command has sustained robust enforcement operations across its area of responsibility.
“These efforts resulted in significant interceptions, detentions and seizures of prohibited, restricted, and controlled items. Among the notable seizures and detentions recorded by the Command.
” 1,491 cartons of smuggled foreign spaghetti with DPV of N38,740,131.00 million; 2,928 packs of smuggled foreign Macaroni with DPV of N280,734,079 million; 35 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice including the mean of conveyance with DPV of N8,143,379.00 million.
” Also intercepted are 19 bags of expired smuggled foreign parboiled rice of different brands including the mean of conveyance with DPV of N475,000; 3,000 jerry cans of foreign refined and packaged vegetable oil with DPV of N431,852,129 million”. Adamu said.
The Customs boss asserted that while revenue generation remains a critical responsibility of the service, he explained that the service also intercepted illicit movement of cash flow above threshold of 10,000 USD in line with Section 3 of Anti-Money Laundering Prohibition and Prevention Act 2022.
“The Command recorded the interception of undeclared foreign currencies within the period under review comprising of USSD 73,300; British Pound 15,975; 827,800 SAR”. He said.
Adamu vowed to continue to support legitimate businesses through the various incentives and trade facilitation initiatives introduced by the Service such as Authorized Economic Operator, Advance Ruling and One Stop Shop amongst others.
He urged stakeholders to avail themselves with the relevant Customs laws, procedures, requirements, while seeking clarification where necessary. Adamu said compliant trading community makes Customs work easier, and promotes predictability.
