The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced that it made 397 vehicle seizures valued at N5.64 billion in 2024, continuing its efforts to enforce import regulations and safeguard government revenue.
This was revealed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during a press briefing on the service’s activities for the year, held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Adeniyi detailed other significant seizures made by the service, which included 3,785 bales of textiles worth N945 million, 183,527 bags of rice, and various quantities of footwear, beverages, and other consumer goods. He emphasized that these actions were aimed at protecting local industries and supporting the government’s economic diversification agenda.
In addition to the vehicle seizures, Adeniyi highlighted the success of Operation Whirlwind, which was launched earlier in the year with the collaboration of the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The operation led to the seizure of 1,716,656 liters of petroleum products intended for illegal diversion to neighboring countries. The enforcement activities also resulted in the arrest of 55 suspects, who are currently under investigation as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in these activities.
Adeniyi further emphasized that the NCS’s enforcement strategies are aligned with national security goals and international obligations, reinforcing the service’s critical role in the country’s security framework while facilitating legitimate trade. To enhance its enforcement capacity, the NCS is investing in expanding its technological infrastructure, incorporating geospatial technology and other advanced solutions.
