Tag: NCS

Apapa Customs Seizes N3.398bn Codeine Syrup in Major Operation

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted illicit Codeine-containing syrup valued at over N3.398 billion at the Lagos Port, marking another significant breakthrough in the fight against smuggling. The seizure comes just five days after the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, visited the port and warned that it would no longer serve as a playground for criminal syndicates.

In a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Command seized two containers holding a total of 3,398 cartons—equivalent to 339,800 bottles—of CSP Codeine syrup. The drugs were concealed among household utensils, including pearl-plated insulated casseroles, in a sophisticated attempt to evade detection.

Container MRKU 3816476 contained 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of the syrup, while container TGBU 5399178 held 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles). Both containers have been officially converted to seizure under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, as amended, following the discovery.

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa, described the seizure as a demonstration of the Command’s commitment to the CGC’s directives. He emphasized that the operation reflects a proactive, intelligence-led enforcement strategy aimed at making Apapa Port hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers.

Oshoba commended the NDLEA for its collaboration and reiterated that the Apapa Area Command remains focused on protecting public health, safeguarding national security, and facilitating legitimate trade. The Command is leveraging technology-driven operations and maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on smuggling activities in line with the CGC’s renewed vision.

17/03/2026
Cross River: Customs Set to Auction Seized Fuel to Public

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to auction more than 14,000 litres of seized petrol in Cross River State as part of efforts to curb smuggling and ensure proper utilisation of intercepted fuel.

Customs officials said the petrol was confiscated during intensified anti-smuggling operations along major border routes known for illegal petroleum trafficking and diversion of subsidised fuel to neighbouring countries.

The seizures were made under enhanced surveillance measures aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and tackling economic sabotage in border communities.

According to the NCS, the auction process follows standard procedures that allow members of the public to purchase the fuel at regulated prices while discouraging further smuggling activities.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining crackdowns on illegal dealings and warned smugglers that anyone caught would face the full force of the law.

04/03/2026
Finance Ministry Denies Stopping Revenue Collection Deductions

The Federal Ministry of Finance has clarified that it has not discontinued the practice allowing revenue-generating agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to deduct their cost of revenue collection at source.

The clarification, made by the ministry’s spokesperson Mohammed Manga on Friday via the Ministry’s official X account, came amid claims attributed to Finance Minister Wale Edun suggesting that the federal government had stopped the practice.“At no point during his remarks at the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) programme hosted by the World Bank did the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, announce or imply any change to the existing policy on the cost of collection deductions,” the Ministry said.

The government emphasized that there has been no policy change regarding cost-of-collection deductions. What is currently ongoing is a review of the cost of collection structure in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directives to enhance transparency, efficiency, and value for money in public financial management.“The Ministry assures all stakeholders and the public that revenue operations continue uninterrupted and that any future adjustments will be guided by due process, stakeholder engagement, and clear communication,” the statement added.

The Ministry urged the public and media outlets to disregard misleading reports, stressing that the current framework for revenue collection remains in effect.

11/10/2025
Apapa Customs Records ₦161bn Revenue Amid System Downtime

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has announced the collection of ₦161 billion in revenue within a three-week period through the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.

The Customs Area Controller, Babtunde Olomu, disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement at the command, according to a statement issued on Monday.

Olomu noted that the B’Odogwu platform has shown strong potential for growth, assuring stakeholders that their patience with the new system will yield positive results.

“Between August 1 and 22, 2025, the command collected N161bn using the B’Odogwu system,” Olomu revealed, expressing optimism that the platform would facilitate more trade than previous ICT systems deployed by the service.

He further stressed that Apapa Command remains a strategic hub for the NCS’s overall revenue drive. Olomu also confirmed that the Comptroller-General of Customs has been in constant dialogue with the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to address challenges, including network downtime, while working with the ICT department to provide permanent solutions.

Speaking at the session, Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Charles Orbih, commended importers, freight forwarders, and licensed customs agents for their patience during the transition.

“I am pleased with the maturity, understanding, and support shown by our stakeholders. Their confidence in the service’s ability to resolve network glitches underscores our shared values as patriotic Nigerians who want to see our homegrown ICT initiative thrive,” Orbih said.

He added that the CGC has been working closely with terminal operators, shipping companies, and the NSC to secure demurrage waivers for affected stakeholders.

26/08/2025
Nigeria Earns N21tn in Six Months Amid Rising Debt

The Federal Government earned about N21.22 trillion from five key revenue-generating agencies in the first half of 2025, highlighting stronger tax collection, oil royalties, and customs duties.

Despite the significant inflow, the government has continued to seek foreign loans and grants to fund budget deficits and infrastructure projects. Economists warn that this borrowing could exacerbate Nigeria’s debt burden.

Financial reports submitted to the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) show that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) led collections with N13.76 trillion, followed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) at N5.21 trillion, and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) contributing N2.02 trillion. The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) added N32.39 billion and N197.8 billion, respectively, although the NNPC reported N6.96 trillion in statutory remittances to FAAC during the same period.

The combined earnings represent 58 percent of the government’s 2025 revenue projection of N36.35 trillion and 42.23 percent of targets for FIRS, NUPRC, and NCS. Analysts say the government is on track to meet or surpass its fiscal targets if revenue momentum continues.

However, Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N149.39 trillion as of March 31, 2025, a 22.8 percent increase from N121.67 trillion in 2024. External debt exposure, particularly to the World Bank, rose to $18.23 billion, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the country’s total external debt stock. Loans from the World Bank’s International Development Association increased from $16.56 billion in December 2024 to $16.99 billion in March 2025, while borrowing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development remained at $1.24 billion.

The administration’s approved borrowing plans could add roughly N38.24 trillion ($24.14 billion) to the debt stock by 2026, including loans in dollars, euros, and Japanese yen. Nigeria also anticipates approval of additional World Bank loans and grants totaling $1.25 billion in IDA financing and $10.5 million in grants, which may raise total commitments to $9.65 billion between June 2023 and December 2025.

The government’s borrowing strategy underscores a reliance on external financing, even as domestic revenue generation shows marked improvement under the 2025 fiscal framework, which targets increased tax, oil, and customs receipts based on a crude oil benchmark of $75 per barrel and a daily production target of 2.06 million barrels.

19/08/2025
Customs Seizes ₦10bn Contraband in Lagos Port Raid
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 16 containers loaded with prohibited items — including firearms, ammunition, expired pharmaceuticals, counterfeit goods, and banned food products — valued at more than ₦10 billion.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizures on Monday while parading the containers before journalists at the Apapa Port, Lagos.

“These goods violate our laws and threaten our collective peace and security,” Adeniyi said.

Drugs Concealed With Weapons
Acting on intelligence, customs officers and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) jointly examined a 40-foot container with registration number MRSU6407089.
Although initially cleared, a secondary inspection uncovered 202 cans of Canadian “Colorado loud” cannabis, each weighing 500 grams — totalling 101 kilograms.

Further scanning revealed a cache of arms and ammunition hidden in the same shipment, including:
- Two pump-action rifles
- 25 cartridges
- One Smith & Wesson pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition and a blank round
- Several weapons accessories
Expired Drugs, Banned Food and Counterfeits
Other intercepted goods included:
- Seven containers of expired and prohibited medicines
- Three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine
- Three containers of banned used clothing
- Two containers of codeine-based syrup linked to earlier seizures
- Two separate 40-foot containers, each carrying 1,290 sacks of frozen poultry products
Adeniyi also disclosed a case involving 305 cartons of counterfeit toothpaste concealed among beads and a Jalabiya dress. The products infringed on a Nigerian company’s trademark and were not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Two additional containers of expired chest and lung tablets without NAFDAC numbers were seized.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures. Three have already been charged, arraigned, and remanded at Ikoyi Prisons pending trial next month.

Adeniyi said intelligence is helping investigators establish links between the latest seizures and previous importations. He pledged to work with both local and foreign customs administrations to dismantle smuggling networks.

“We will ensure Nigeria does not become a dumping ground,” he vowed.
12/08/2025