The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over 695,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) being smuggled to neighboring countries. This achievement, made in collaboration with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, aims to combat economic sabotage linked to the smuggling and diversion of petroleum products.
NCS Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, made the announcement while addressing the 18th Africa Security Watch Conference in Doha, Qatar. The conference highlighted the NCS’s critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders. Adeniyi’s statement was issued by the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, on Sunday.
In his keynote address, titled “Protecting National Security Through Effective Border Control: The Nigeria Customs Example,” Adeniyi emphasized the importance of border management in national security, describing borders as more than just geographic boundaries. He explained that they are essential gateways that play a pivotal role in protecting citizens, securing the economy, and ensuring overall safety.
Adeniyi also discussed the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, which has significantly redefined the NCS’s operations, enabling it to tackle emerging threats, improve efficiency, and foster better collaboration. He praised the Act as a legislative milestone that has better equipped the NCS to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Reflecting on the NCS’s accomplishments in 2024, Adeniyi highlighted the agency’s record-breaking N5.1 trillion in revenue generation, a testament to the NCS’s innovative use of technology and enhanced compliance systems. He pointed out that this success goes beyond revenue figures, demonstrating the Customs workforce’s resilience and efficiency.
Adeniyi also outlined some of the NCS’s other significant achievements, including intelligence-led operations that resulted in the interception of arms shipments, such as 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition at the Onne Seaport. The NCS’s partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency also led to numerous drug seizures.
Additionally, the NCS has played a key role in combating wildlife trafficking, seizing 4,200 kilograms of pangolin scales and ivory. This highlights the NCS’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and adherence to international laws.
The Comptroller-General also revealed that the NCS has leveraged geospatial technologies, including satellite feeds and geo-mapping, to enhance its surveillance and enforcement capabilities, ensuring that its operations are both effective and sustainable.
