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Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

Nigeria Customs, Afreximbank Deepen Partnership to Boost AfCFTA, Intra-African Trade

by Editor July 5, 2026

written by Editor

By Chibuike Nwabuko

ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Nigeria Customs Service and African Export-Import Bank have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening intra-African trade through enhanced customs cooperation, trade facilitation, and accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The renewed commitment was made during a working visit by the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, George Elombi, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting provided both institutions with an opportunity to assess the progress made in their existing partnership and explore new areas of collaboration aimed at promoting seamless cross-border trade and advancing regional economic integration across Africa.
Speaking during the meeting, Adeniyi described the partnership as one anchored on the shared belief that Africa’s economic transformation depends on stronger trade among African nations. He said the collaboration had already produced significant gains in customs modernisation and trade facilitation through initiatives focused on harmonising customs procedures and improving the movement of goods across the continent.
According to him, the partnership reflects a common conviction that Africa’s greatest trading opportunities lie within the continent.
“We are building a partnership between the two sides, a partnership founded on a single conviction: that Africa’s best trading partners are within Africa itself, and our prosperity will be built on the trade we conduct within ourselves. From C-PACT to our ongoing work on trade facilitation, we are turning that conviction into practical cooperation,” the Customs boss said.
Adeniyi disclosed that the collaboration would further support Afreximbank’s regional transit initiatives, fast-track the establishment of one-stop border posts along strategic trade corridors, and encourage the adoption of global best practices in customs administration.
He noted that the Nigeria Customs Service was already recording positive outcomes from the Bank’s support for regional transit systems, expressing optimism that the partnership would enhance Africa’s competitiveness while expanding opportunities for legitimate trade across the continent.
In his remarks, Elombi commended the Nigeria Customs Service for demonstrating proactive leadership in driving initiatives that support continental trade integration.
“It is nice to see the CGC taking the initiative to drive this kind of engagement, which demonstrates a clear commitment to transforming trade across the continent. We have the resources, and you have the will. Together, we can make this partnership work for Africa,” he said.
The Afreximbank president also reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to expanding its support for programmes that promote trade facilitation and strengthen the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The meeting also reviewed the successful collaboration between the two organisations on the maiden edition of the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT), held in Abuja in November 2025.
The initiative brought together customs administrations, development partners and private sector stakeholders to harmonise customs procedures, strengthen institutional capacity and improve connectivity across Africa’s trading systems, laying the foundation for deeper regional trade cooperation.

July 5, 2026 0 comments

Security & defence

NDLEA intercepts N10.4bn Canadian loud at Lagos port

by Administrator May 13, 2026

written by Administrator

ABUJA – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large consignment of Canadian Loud, a high-potency strain of cannabis, weighing 4,173.5 kilograms with a street value of N10.4billion at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.

A statement by the NDLEA spokesman on Wednesday in Abuja said that the successful interdiction of the illicit drug consignment followed painstaking intelligence gathering.

This he said included sustained surveillance, and trailing of the container, which was transloaded a number of times since it left Toronto, Canada on March 28.

Babafemi said that it was conveyed through rails to Montreal, where it was loaded on board a vessel, Jakarta express voyage, which arrived at Tanger Med Port in Morocco on April 15.

He added that it was discharged and reloaded on another vessel, the Osaka voyage, which eventually arrived the Lagos Port on Saturday.

“It took over two months of monitoring the shipment by the Marine Intelligence Unit of NDLEA and the Tincan Island Strategic Command of the agency.

“Operatives worked in close collaboration with international partners particularly the United Kingdom Home Office International Operations, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

“These efforts culminated in the eventual seizure of the consignment on Tuesday, May 12 during a joint examination of the container by NDLEA operatives, men of Customs Service and other security agencies.

“The development comes barely four days after NDLEA operatives raided a Lekki mansion used as a stash house where 4,000 parcels of the same psychoactive substance weighing 2,326 kilograms worth over N5.8billion were recovered,”he said.

**One of the vehicles Intercepted by NDLEA operatives**

Babafemi said that the illicit drug consignments from Canada were professionally packed and concealed inside two vehicles.

This, he said included a used Ford Bus and a Mercedes Benz C300 car, stashed within the shipping container.

Speaking during the handover of the exhibits by the NCS at the Port in Lagos, the NDLEA’s Director of Seaports Operations, ACG Ibinabo Archieabis said the “achievement once again demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation.”

This, he added, included international collaboration, and intelligence-driven operations in combating transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.

Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers of the Tincan Command and the MIU of the agency for their vigilance and professional conduct.

Marwa noted that the volume of recent Loud seizures highlighted a coordinated attempt by international drug syndicates to flood the Nigerian market with synthetic strains of cannabis.

“This second massive seizure in less than a week is a clear message to the international syndicates who think they can use our ports as entry points for their soul-destroying trade.

“The synergy between NDLEA and Customs Service as well as other security agencies and our international partners like the Canadian Royal Mounted Police, the UK-HOIO and the US DEA is yielding fantastic results.

“We will not rest until every link in this supply chain is broken and those behind these shipments are brought to justice”, Marwa maintained.(NAN)

May 13, 2026 0 comments

News

Customs seize contraband worth N6.7bn in Ogun

by Administrator May 13, 2026

written by Administrator

OGUN – Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, has intensified efforts to combat smuggling and dismantle illicit trade networks along the nation’s borders.

The Area Comptroller of the command, Mr Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this during a news conference on Wednesday in Idiroko.

Afeni said the command remained committed to securing the borders, protecting the economy and curbing illegal trade activities through enhanced surveillance and inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, the command recorded 73 seizures within 41 days through intelligence-driven operations.

He listed the items seized to include 1,759 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 2,685 kegs of 25-litre vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 216 cartons of 20kg Basmati rice and 66 bales of second-hand clothing.

Others are 205 packs of footwear, 46 bags of foreign sugar, 77 cartons of Analgin injection, 16 cartons of organic honey, 50 cartons of expired seasoning cubes, 858 packs of macaroni, two sacks of spaghetti and six pangolins.

Afeni said the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stood at N6.77 billion.

“The command remains steadfast in its mission to secure the land borders, fortify the national economy and dismantle illicit trade networks,” he said.

He added that the command generated N125.43 million into the Federation Account through baggage assessment and auction of seized petroleum products.

According to him, the seizures were made at different locations across the state through intensive intelligence operations.

Afeni reaffirmed the commitment of the command to safeguarding the economy and ensuring public safety.

He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for providing support and an enabling environment for officers to carry out their duties effectively.(NAN)

May 13, 2026 0 comments

News

2,000 trucks exit as Kebbi borders reopen with Benin, Niger Republics

by Content Admin February 10, 2026

written by Content Admin

KEBBI- No fewer than 2,000 trucks earlier stranded at Nigeria’s borders with Benin and Niger Republics have begun movement following the reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya border posts in Kebbi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reopening is in line with the directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Kebbi Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mahmoud Matawalle-Ibrahim, officially opened the borders to trucks from Benin and Niger on Monday in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “The reopening of the borders in Dandi and Bagudo Local Government Areas is aimed at facilitating the transit of legitimate goods and reviving cross-border trade with the Republics of Benin and Niger, after months of closure occasioned by security concerns.

“The exercise was carried out with presidential approval to enable the smooth movement of legitimate goods from the Tsamiya border to Niger Republic through the Kamba corridor in Kebbi.”

Matawalle-Ibrahim averred that many of the stranded trucks from Benin had already been cleared at Tsamiya and were moving towards Niger Republic’s Tunga Jado border through Kamba.

He added that the development would boost trading activities between Nigeria and its neighbours, while also strengthening joint security efforts along the border communities.

Earlier, an official of Niger Republic, Commander Maigiro Yahaya-Tubil, said the decision by the Nigerian Government would help stimulate the economies of the neighbouring countries.

“We are happy that our trucks, which were trapped for months, can now move freely through Nigeria to their destinations,” he said.

Also speaking, the District Head of Kamba, Alhaji Muhammed Sarkin-Shikon-Kamba, described the reopening as a major relief to border communities.

“This decision will bring economic benefits to our people and restore livelihoods that were affected by the closure.

“We sincerely appreciate the Federal Government,” he said. (NAN)

February 10, 2026 0 comments

News

NCS launches new procedure for duty-paid courier operations

by Content Admin January 13, 2026

written by Content Admin

ABUJA- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has begun the implementation of a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for regulating courier companies operating under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Incoterm.

NCS`s Comptroller-General(C-G), Bashir Adeniyi, made the announcement in a statement by the spokesperson of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Monday in Abuja.

Maiwada said that this implementation provides a unified framework for registration, manifest submission, declaration, valuation, clearance, delivery and compliance monitoring, in line with global best practices.

Under the newly commenced procedure, he said, courier companies intending to operate the DDP regime were required to obtain a licence from the NCS Headquarters Licence and Permit Unit under the Tariff and Trade Department.

He added the companies were expected to submit all mandatory documents, including Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration papers, valid courier licences, compliance bonds and a formal application to operate under DDP.

“It is pertinent to note that all licenced operators are required to submit an Advance Electronic Manifest (AEM) 24 hours before shipment arrival.

“Clearly indicating DDP as the Incoterm and providing complete details such as Harmonised System codes, item descriptions, values, origins and consignees, in line with the World Customs Organisation(WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards, ” he said.

According to him, the SOP further mandates courier companies to act as declarants by filing Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) via the B’Odogwú platform including the declared FOB values, supported by invoices, airway bills and packing lists.

Other declarations, he said, should include full payment of customs duties, VAT and other statutory levies which must be completed through authorised NCS payment channels before clearance.

“Additionally, risk-based cargo profiling will guide inspections, with physical examinations conducted when discrepancies or high-risk indicators are identified.

“ Delivery to the consignee is permitted only after full clearance and Proof of Delivery (POD) must be provided upon request, ” he said.

Maiwada said that to ensure strict adherence, the NCS had instituted a robust monitoring and enforcement mechanism through periodic Post-Clearance Audits (PCA).

He explained that these audits would verify the accuracy of DDP declarations, prevent revenue leakages and confirm compliance with classification and valuation standards.

He said violations, including false declarations, non-payment of duties or operational misconduct, would attract sanctions such as suspension or revocation of clearance licences, seizure of goods, penalties with interest and prosecution under the NCS Act, 2023.

According to him, courier operators are also required to submit monthly reports of all DDP shipments, including duty payments, classification details and delivery records, to the relevant Area Commands.

He said the DDP initiative was anchored on the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Incoterms 2020 and relevant sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

He added that it was also guided by the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, the Revised Kyoto Convention, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, the NCS Courier Clearance Guidelines, and the Nigeria Postal Service Act 2023.

“With this commencement, the NCS reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the integrity of the clearance process.

“ Enhancing revenue assurance, facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that courier operations under the DDP regime meet the highest global compliance standards, ” he said. (NAN)

January 13, 2026 0 comments

News

New and serving customs personnel must take drug test– CG

by Content Admin November 25, 2025

written by Content Admin

ABUJA- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says incoming recruits to the organisation must undergo a drug test as part of the recruitment process.

The NCS Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, gave the directive in a statement by the spokesperson of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Adeniyi said arrangements had been concluded to subject all incoming personnel to a mandatory drug test, including serving officers.

He said the measure was introduced to prevent compromises in the service’s operations.

“We designed these measures to ensure that no recruit enters the service with substance-abuse tendencies that could compromise judgment, security responsibilities, or operational integrity.

“The new directive is aimed primarily at the fresh intake of recruits, but serving officers will also be captured as the service moves towards establishing a fully drug-free institution,” he said.

He said the mandatory drug test, to be conducted for all personnel across every zone, command and headquarters, underscores the service’s commitment to discharging its duties diligently.

The C-G said the NCS would no longer tolerate a situation where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs.

He said the decision was conceived due to reports of incidents where erratic behaviour or poor decision-making in some commands was later linked to substance misuse.

“There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel,” he said.

According to him, the era of overlooking early signs of substance abuse in the ranks is over.

He stressed that officers assigned to revenue collection, enforcement and border security must possess sound judgment at all times.

Adeniyi also reminded officers to prioritise their personal health and undergo regular medical checks, underscoring the importance of physical and mental fitness for effective service delivery. (NAN)

November 25, 2025 0 comments

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

Nigeria Customs, Afreximbank Deepen Partnership to Boost AfCFTA, Intra-African Trade

NDLEA intercepts N10.4bn Canadian loud at Lagos port

Customs seize contraband worth N6.7bn in Ogun

2,000 trucks exit as Kebbi borders reopen with Benin, Niger Republics

NCS launches new procedure for duty-paid courier operations

New and serving customs personnel must take drug test– CG

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