The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized 20 diverted transit containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N769.5 million in Kano and Jigawa States between the second and fourth quarters of 2025.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Customs House, Kano/Jigawa Area Command in Kano.
He said the seizures represented one of the Service’s most significant operational successes in recent times, underscoring its zero-tolerance stance against cargo diversion and other practices that undermine trade compliance and national security.
He described the illicit cargo diversion as a serious breach of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, particularly section 64(b) of the Act, which places responsibility on carriers and consignees to present goods to customs in accordance with the approved transire procedures.
He reiterated that the NCS remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade in line with the Federal Government’s economic agenda.
Adeniyi noted that the containers were originally routed from mother ports to designated inland terminals and Free Trade Zones but were unlawfully diverted by unscrupulous elements.
According to him, seven containers laden with vitrified tiles valued at N228.5 million were intercepted along the Hadejia Road corridor after being diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone.
He added that two containers containing 1,188 drums of diesel engine oil with a DPV of N87.5 million were seized at private warehouses in the Dakata Industrial Area.
The Customs boss further said two other containers carrying polyester materials worth N78 million were also intercepted in Dakata, while a container conveying 308 bales of used clothing valued at N48.4 million was seized along the Yankaba–Hadejia Road axis.
Adeniyi disclosed that four containers loaded with printed and lace fabrics, with a combined DPV of N226.1 million, were intercepted while en route to Dabo and M H Gano bonded terminals.
He also revealed that an intelligence-led operation on Nov. 3, 2025, led to the interception of a container conveying 24,853 cartons of Zamzam bottled water valued at N21.4 million, noting that the importation contravened the Common External Tariff regulations.
The Comptroller-General said three containers carrying medical consumables and lace fabrics worth N25.2 million were seized in July, adding that two of the containers had been forfeited to the Federal Government by an order of the Federal High Court, Kano, on Dec. 10.
He disclosed that one container carrying printed fabrics valued at N75 million was still under detention, pending the conclusion of legal processes.
Adeniyi further announced that one suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, was convicted by the Federal High Court, Kano, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a N3 million fine for container diversion.
He said the Service had intensified the deployment of electronic tracking devices to monitor transit cargo, adding that the technology would soon be deployed nationwide to curb diversion and smuggling.
The Customs boss warned importers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders against non-compliance with transit procedures, stressing that the Service would continue to enforce the law without compromise.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’ commitment to trade facilitation, revenue generation and national security, while urging the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest Customs office.
