by George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 20 diverted transit containers with a combined duty paid value of N769,533,666 across the Kano and Jigawa axis, following intelligence-driven enforcement operations aimed at curbing cargo diversion and protecting government revenue.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures during a press briefing in Kano on Friday, December 19, 2025. He said the interceptions, which took place between the second and fourth quarters of the year, were part of sustained efforts by the Service to uncover and dismantle organised cargo diversion networks operating within the country.
Adeniyi described cargo diversion as a serious economic crime that undermines government revenue, poses security risks, and weakens Nigeria’s credibility in international trade. He stressed that the Service would continue to deploy all lawful measures to detect, deter, and punish individuals and syndicates involved in such activities.
The seized containers were found to contain assorted items, including vitrified tiles unlawfully diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone with a duty paid value of N228.6 million, diesel engine oil, polyester materials, used clothing, printed and lace fabrics, medical consumables, and Zamzam bottled water. Some of the items are classified as prohibited imports under the Common External Tariff regulations.
The Comptroller-General disclosed that one container remains under detention pending the conclusion of legal processes, while two containers of medical consumables were forfeited to the Federal Government following a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Kano Division, on December 10, 2025.
He also confirmed the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of Abdulrahman Sani Adam for container diversion. The offender was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a N3 million fine, a development Adeniyi said would serve as a strong deterrent to others involved in similar crimes.
As part of measures to strengthen transit cargo monitoring, the Comptroller-General announced the near-nationwide deployment of electronic container tracking devices. He explained that the system allows for real-time monitoring of cargo movement, route compliance, and tamper alerts from ports to inland destinations.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to trade facilitation, revenue protection, and border security, warning that smugglers and their collaborators would face prosecution, forfeiture, and loss of trading privileges. He urged importers, agents, and logistics operators to comply strictly with approved transit procedures and report suspicious activities to the nearest Customs office.
The Nigeria Customs Service is a key revenue-generating and border management agency of the Federal Government, mandated to facilitate legitimate trade, prevent smuggling, and enforce customs and excise laws across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
