Customs Tightens Transit Controls in Kano, Warns Against Cargo Diversion, Revenue Sabotage
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its campaign against cargo diversion, transit sabotage and other operational infractions, as Zone ‘B’ Command moves to strengthen compliance and safeguard national revenue across the Kano-Kaduna trade corridor.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to trade facilitation and strict enforcement during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Kano on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The message was delivered on his behalf by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘B’, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Nsikan Umoh, at a forum hosted by the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
Describing the engagement as “very strategic,” ACG Umoh said sustained collaboration between Customs and trade stakeholders remains central to economic growth and national development.
“This platform provides a critical opportunity for deepening collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and its stakeholders. Such a partnership is indispensable to the realisation of our mandate and the broader goals of nation-building,” she stated.
She highlighted reforms introduced under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi, noting that the Service has, over the past two years, intensified modernisation efforts aimed at simplifying clearance procedures, strengthening compliance, and improving predictability in Customs operations.
According to her, key trade facilitation tools already deployed include the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Advance Ruling, automation of overtime cargo clearance, the Customs Vehicle Verification System, one-stop-shop operations, and the electronic tracking system for goods in transit.
“These initiatives were introduced to address bottlenecks and inefficiencies across the clearance value chain, and they are designed to reward compliance,” ACG Umoh said.
However, she expressed concern over rising cases of cargo diversion, sabotage of transit goods, fraud and collusion involving both officers and stakeholders along the Kano-Kaduna axis.
“These practices undermine operational integrity, result in revenue loss and discourage compliance. I am therefore calling on all stakeholders to conduct their operations with the highest level of integrity, transparency and accountability,” she warned.
She disclosed that the Comptroller General had directed the strict application of sanctions against any erring officer or stakeholder, adding that enforcement actions have been ongoing in Kano since December 2025.
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“Compliance saves time, reduces cost and enhances credibility. Non-compliance, on the other hand, leads to sanctions, disruptions and reputational damage,” she added.
Earlier, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Usman Adamu, said the Command recorded significant operational gains in 2025, including surpassing its revenue target by 5.71 per cent.
He also reported notable successes in anti-smuggling operations, including seizures of hard drugs, illicit substances and tramadol hydrochloride above approved import thresholds, as well as the interception of foreign currencies in violation of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
“We also recovered armoured cables meant for electricity supply to several local government areas at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, thereby protecting critical national assets,” DC Adamu said.
Despite sustained sensitisation efforts, he noted that cases of illegal currency movement continue to surface, including incidents recorded shortly after his assumption of office.
The Acting Area Controller assured stakeholders that the Command would build on existing achievements through “consolidation, collaboration and innovation,” in line with the policy direction of the Comptroller General.
He further disclosed plans to introduce real-time performance dashboards and explore collaboration with Bayero University, Kano, to translate sections of the Common External Tariff into the Hausa language to promote inclusivity and wider understanding of trade facilitation tools.
“This will also incorporate the AEO manual and advance ruling framework. Unfortunately, no stakeholder in this zone has keyed into these initiatives yet, despite the level of compliance recorded here,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of licensed agents, the Chairman of Licensed Customs Agents in Kano, Hafiz Ridwan, raised concerns about manual application processes but expressed optimism that ongoing administrative reforms would address the challenge.
He explained that, as an interim measure, the Command has adopted a control system where all applications originate strictly from Kano, with advance copies transmitted via official service mail to the ports.
Approved containers, he added, would be tracked through the IM5 application, while daily approvals would be shared with the Command to “filter out non-compliant operators and focus on facilitating compliant stakeholders.”
The engagement also featured an oversight visit by the Zonal Coordinator to key facilities, including the Dala Inland Dry Port, ICNL and MH Gano Terminal, as part of efforts to strengthen operational oversight and efficiency across strategic trade nodes in Kano.
By PRNigeria
