The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized arms, ammunition, and various contraband items valued at ₦9.58 billion over the past six years.
Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this at the Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja on Wednesday, noting that 60% of these seizures occurred in the last year alone. This recent surge accounts for 34.67% of the total declared seizure value, 20.58% of arms, and a significant 99.62% of ammunition intercepted in the six-year span.
Additionally, on August 8, 2024, a joint enforcement operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission led to the seizure of 9,493 kg of pangolin scales, comprising 2,293 tons in Kano/Kaduna and 7.2 tons in Lagos, resulting in four arrests. Adeniyi condemned wildlife trafficking, emphasising its detrimental impact on Nigeria’s global image, security, and economy.
Adeniyi further highlighted that between May 2023 and August 2024, the NCS made 48 seizures of restricted pharmaceuticals, 119 shipments of narcotics, and confiscated 7,155 bags of foreign rice, with 3,235 bags recently seized from Erekiti waterside, Seme road, and Ogun State border areas.
He also reported successful operations by the Joint Border Patrol Team in Lagos, which led to various seizures valued at ₦1.1 billion from September 12 to October 14, 2024.
He warned smugglers to desist from their activities, as the NCS, alongside other security agencies, is committed to enforcing the law.
He also emphasised that the NCS is increasingly adopting proactive strategies, balancing compliance and trade facilitation with heightened security measures.
“Our new strategy focuses on collaboration, innovation, and reinforcing our role in revenue collection and regulatory compliance while mitigating societal threats,” he said.
Adeniyi explained that the NCS is moving toward a softer, more persuasive approach in its operations, tailored to the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
He acknowledged the difficulties posed by unscrupulous elements exploiting the economic situation to smuggle arms, narcotics, restricted pharmaceuticals, staple foods, and fuel.
The Customs chief reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to working with domestic and international partners to combat wildlife trafficking and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
He highlighted the NCS’s continued efforts to strengthen intelligence-gathering, upgrade technological infrastructure, and foster partnerships to curb these illegal activities.
Adeniyi assured legitimate traders that the NCS remains dedicated to facilitating lawful trade, ultimately contributing to a safe and prosperous Nigeria.
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