D/COMPT ADAMU INTERCEPTS N1.7 BILLION COMTRABAND; GENERATES N69.37 BILLION IN 6 MONTHS AT THE KANO/JIGAWA CUSTOMS COMMAND
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a major operational milestone, generating ₦69.37 billion in revenue during the first half of 2026.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs UU Adamu who made this known on Wednesday during a media briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano said the achievements came on the heels of intensified offensive against smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.
Addressing journalists, the Acting Controller said the impressive revenue performance reflected the Command’s renewed commitment to efficient service delivery, strict compliance with government fiscal policies and enhanced trade facilitation.
He noted that despite challenges in cargo throughput, the Command recorded significant growth over the corresponding period of 2025 through strategic reforms and strengthened operational efficiency.
A major contributor to the revenue haul was the Kano Free Trade Zone, which generated over ₦26 billion within six months, surpassing the Zone’s entire revenue for the 2025 fiscal year. The Command also recovered nearly ₦3 billion through the detection and prevention of abuses in Customs transit procedures, a feat described as a major victory against revenue leakages.
On the enforcement front, the Command intensified intelligence-driven operations and strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies, leading to the interception of several prohibited and restricted items. Among the seizures were unregistered pharmaceutical products, including tramadol and pregabalin, four air pistols imported in violation of the Firearms Act, elephant tusks, military gear, foreign vegetable oil, smuggled vehicles, drones and prohibited food items.
The Acting Controller further disclosed that Customs intercepted 14 forty-foot containers linked to diversion and abuse of transit procedures, while counterfeit agrochemical packaging materials and other prohibited imports were also confiscated.
He further revealed that 22 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, with some transferred to relevant agencies for further investigation and others placed on administrative bail.
According to Usman, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures recorded during the review period stood at ₦1.71 billion, highlighting the scale of its anti-smuggling operations and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and protecting legitimate businesses from unfair competition.
He said in one of its most significant interceptions, officers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport uncovered undeclared foreign currencies and negotiable instruments, including 568,100 United States Dollars, 134,256 Saudi Riyals, 28 Chinese Yuan, 20 Ghana Cedis, as well as 35 kilograms of silver bars valued at ₦175 million. The seizure was made in line with the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, according to Blazon News.
The Acting Customs Area Controller attributed the Command’s impressive performance to a series of deliberate reforms introduced upon his assumption of office. These include tighter monitoring of transit cargo through an end-to-end dispatch system, streamlined revenue collection processes, intelligence-led surveillance, improved cargo clearance procedures, enhanced oversight of the Kano Free Trade Zone and the deployment of a real-time revenue monitoring dashboard.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing visionary leadership and introducing reforms that have continued to reposition the Service for greater efficiency. He also appreciated partner security agencies, regulatory bodies, stakeholders and the media for their support in advancing the Command’s mandate.
Controller Adamu assured that the Kano/Jigawa Area Command would sustain its momentum in the second half of the year through intelligence-driven enforcement, stakeholder engagement and strict implementation of government fiscal and trade policies.
He urged importers, exporters and the trading community to embrace lawful business practices, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, protecting the nation’s economy and increasing revenue for national development.