The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 20 diverted transit containers valued at ₦769.5 million in duty-paid value across the Kano and Jigawa axis, following intelligence-led enforcement operations to curb cargo diversion and protect government revenue.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures at a press briefing in Kano at the weekend, noting that the interceptions took place between the second and fourth quarters of 2025.
He said the action formed part of sustained efforts to dismantle organised cargo diversion networks.
Adeniyi described cargo diversion as a serious threat to national revenue, security and Nigeria’s credibility in global trade, warning that the Service would continue to deploy all lawful measures to detect, deter and punish offenders.
The seized containers were found to contain a range of items, including vitrified tiles illegally diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone with a duty-paid value of ₦228.6 million, as well as diesel engine oil, polyester materials, used clothing, printed and lace fabrics, medical consumables and Zamzam bottled water.
Some of the items are prohibited under the Common External Tariff regulations.
He 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 of the Federal High Court in Kano on 10 December 2025.
The Comptroller-General 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 ₦3 million fine, a move Adeniyi said would serve as a strong deterrent.
To strengthen transit cargo monitoring, he announced the near-nationwide deployment of electronic container tracking devices, which allow real-time monitoring, route compliance and tamper alerts from ports to inland destinations.
Reaffirming Customs’ commitment to trade facilitation, revenue protection and border security, Adeniyi warned 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.