WE ARE REWRITING THE PLAYBOOK ON REVENUE COLLECTION, TRADE FACILITATION & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE—CUSTOMS CG
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
Multiple seizures running into billions of naira were exhibited by the comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR today in Lagos.
Pangolin scales from more than 30 killed elephants were part of the products seizure harvested by eagle-eyed officers of the Border Drill headed by Deputy Comptroller of customs Shuaibu and that of Federal Operations Unit (FOU A)
Others are more than 8000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, several hundreds of packets of cannabis sativa some of which were handed to respective agencies in charge
Adeniyi stated that the customs is more than ever prepared to flush out smuggling activities in Nigeria, using intelligence and with the aid of its CESSNA aircraft billed to arrive the country soon.
The Address in full
I am delighted to provide a comprehensive update on the enforeement activities of the Nigeria Customs Service, in out pursuit of ensuring the security, health, and economic well-being of our great nation.
In the past year, Nigeria has faced unprecedented challenges in a bid to
deliver the dividend democracy and good governance under the visionary
leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Nigeria Customs Service, in alignment with this administration’s progressive policies, adopted fresh approach towards fulfnlling our mandate of balancing revenue collection, facilitating trade and ensuring compliance with the relevant laws. We have moved from a reactive stance to a proactive posture, from isolated efforts to integrated strategies, and from a purely enforcement-driven approach to one that balances compliance facilitation with robust security measures.
The new strategy is multifaceted, focusing on consolidating previous gains. Fostering unprecedented collaboration with stakeholders, and integrating curting- edge innovations into our operations. ‘We are rewriting the playbook on revenue collection, trade facilitation, and regulatory compliance, all while strengthening our role as the vanguard against societal threats’.
This evolution aims to serve the best interests of Nigeria especialy in thesce times of economic adjustment, where our citizens grapple with inflationary pressures triggered by efforts to manage exchange rate challenges. We now lean more towards pesuasion than punishment, employing soft power over hard-line tacties. This strategy is necessary considering the current realities faced by Nigerians.
However, I want to emphasize that our resolve to protect Nigeria’s borders and interests remains ironclad. We are more re-positioned than ever to adopt a more carrot-oriented approach in carrying out our operations, using soft power rather than a hardeore stick approach.
The challenges we face are formidable and multifaceted. Unscrupulous elements seek to exploit our current economic situation, engaging in smuggling activities that threaten the very fabric of our society. From arns and anmunition to narcoties, from restricted pharmaceuticals to staple foods, and even to ours, Customs Service precious fuel resources – the speetrum of illicit trade is vast and varied. What is
even more disturbing is the fact that these activities have been linked to clusters
of criminal networks that seek to cause han to Nigerians.
The scale and sophistication of these illicit activities are alarming. Since 2018, the NCS has intercepted 20 significant shipments, comprising 10,498 pieces of various arns and li4,929 pieces of ammunition, with an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 9.58 billion Naira.
Notably, 60% of these seizures occurred
within the past year alone. This recent surge accounts for 34.67% of the total
DPV, 20.58% of the arns seized, and a staggering 99.62% of the ammunition
intercepted over the six year period. These statistics not only highlight the
intensification of our eflorts but also reveal the evolving tactics employed by smugglers attempting to breach our borders. In response to this escalating threai, we recently declared a state of emergency, particularly following significant seizures of restricted goods, including pharmaceuticals and medicanments.
The intricate connections between these diverse smuggling activities and the networks facilitating them are now the primary focus of our strategic operations, such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting. These among other initiatives
represent the multifaceted approach adopted by NCS to fortify our operations and safeguard Nigeria’s health and security interests.
of particular concem is the alarming rise in wildlife trafficking, which not only threatens our biodiversity but also tarnishes Nigeria’s intemational reputation. The illegal trade in endangered species, especially pangolin scales, has positioned Nigeria as a key transit point in the giobal wildlife trafficking network.
This illicit trade decimates our natural heritage, fuels transnational criminal networks as well as undermines our national security and economie stability. The embarrassment caused by these activities on the global stage is significant, potentially impacting our diplomatic relations and economic partnerships. It is imperative that we address this issue with the utmost urgency and commitment.
Now, let me share with you the details of our recent enforcement activities: Wildlife Trafficking. Our recent operations have yielded. On August 8, 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboralion with our main partoner, the Wildlife Justic
significant results in combating the ilegal trade of endangered species:
Commission, condueted a joint enforcement operation resulting in
the seizure of 9,493 kg of pangolin scales. This operation, carried out in two separate locations, represents the largest seizure of
pangolin scales globally since January 2020.
(a) The Kano-Kaduna operation yielded 2,293 tons of pangolin scales and led to two arrests.
b) The Lagos operation resulted in the seizure of 7.2 tons of pangolin scales and two additional arests. A total of 4 persons were arrested in connection with these
operations: 2 in Kano and 2 in Lagos.
These seizures bring the total amount of pangolin scales intercepted by NCS and the Wildlife Justice Commission to nearly 20 tons since 2021, representing the
loss of over 30,000 pangolin species. We acknowledge the crucial role of intelligence provided by our partners, which led to these successful operations. The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to collaborating with domestic and intemational partners to combat wildlife trafficking and bring perpetrators to justice.
Our efforts extend beyond major cities and ports to include supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas where many of these products illegally enter the country. We recognize the evolving lactics of traficking networks and are adapting our strategies accordingly,.
The threat to endangered species is unacceptable, and Nigeria will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to eradicate this illegal trade and ensure that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.
An operation in Kebbi State led to the seizure of 445.45 kg of pangolin scales and the arrest of one individual. In a related international case, we’ve made substantial
progress in an investigation linked to a shipment from Onne Port, Port Harcourt, which was intercepted at Hai Phong Port. Vietnam.
Our ongoing efforts to curb the importation of illicit and potentially harmful pharnmaceuticals have yielded significant results:
c. The shipment contained 1,580 kg of elephant tusks. Three individuals, including both agents and sellers connected to this
illegal export, have been arrested.
d. Pharmaceutical Seizures.
1) On I5 October 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal, we examined a 40-foot container (No. SUDU&S79006) declared to contain kitchenware. Upon inspection, we uncovered a concealment
of 1,584 catons of Barcadin Cough Syrup for Throat & Chesty Cough with Codeine, totaling 158,483 botles (100ml each). This
discovery highlights the sophisticated methods employed by the Customs
In a separate operation on 11 October 2024 at Apapa Port Command, we intercepted two 40-foot containers (Nos. MRKUO377493 and TGBUSSs6020) containing 300 bottles of CSP Cough Syrup. Alarmingly, 200 of these botles were found to be expired, posing a significant publie health risk.
Rice Smugdting. We have seized a total of 7,155 bags of s0kg foreign parboiled rice. of these, 3,235 bags were recently confiscated along the Erekiti waterside, Seme road, and Ogun state border areas.
These recent seizures are part of a boader trend we’ve observed. Between May 2023 and August 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service recorded 48 scizures of restricted pharmaceuticals and medicaments. During the same period, we also intercepted 119
shipments of narcotics and Indian hemp.
Joint Border Patrol Team Operations.
The Joint Border Patrol Teanm Sector 2 in the Southwest Zone of Lagos conducted successful various seizures valued at 1.1 billion Naira. Smugglers to by-pass our control operations between 12 September and 14 October 2024, resulting in these seizutes and interceptions ane sonme of the results of our new strategies and the dedieation of oun officers. However, they also reveal the persistent and evelving nature of the threats we face.
To those who persist in these nefarious activitics, I issue this stern warning:
That NCS, in collaboration with other security agencies, is more determined than
ever to bring the full weight of the law upon you. We are continuously enhancing
our intelligence gathering capabilities, upgrading our technological infrastructure. and strengthening our partnerships both domestically and intemationaly. Your days of operating with impunity are numbered.
To our law-abiding citizens and legitimate traders, l assure you of our commitment to facilitating lawful trade and protecting our economy. We are here to serve you and to ensure that Nigeria remains a safe and prosperous nation for all.
I will conclude with a reaffirmation of the commitment of the NCS to our mandate. We will continue to evolve, innovate, and collaborate to meet the challenges of our time. We will also sustain our efforts in enforcing laws: safeguarding the future of our nation, protecting the health and safety of our citizens, as we continue to contribute to the economic prosperity that President Tinubu envisions for Nigeria.