Latest news with #NigeriaCustomsService
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Stakeholders laud Customs over trade facilitation tools
Stakeholders have lauded the Nigeria Customs Service over several initiatives introduced by the Service to boost trade. The stakeholders poured encomiums on Customs during the 2025 NCS Trade Facilitation Stakeholders Consultative Forum which also marked the first anniversary of the Advanced Ruling Program introduced by the service. The event was themed, 'Trade facilitation measures for renewable energy and energy efficiency technology. Some of the initiatives introduced by the Service include B'Odogwu, a Unified Customs Management System, the Advance Ruling System, the Authorized Economic Operator Programme, the Time Release Study, among others. One of the stakeholders, who doubled as a representative from BUA Group, Olatomiwa Olafaremi, explained that the various trade facilitation tools introduced by the Service, especially the Advanced Ruling Program, have been beneficial. 'There have been issues here and there with the terminals, which we expected for a new system. But overall, we've had tremendous support from the customer care controllers. Most of the serial officers at the terminals in Australia have also been of tremendous support. The entire process has been seamless. Without knowing anybody, like I said, I am not speaking to our senior officers,' he said. Earlier, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, explained that in recent times, trade facilitation has become integral to the operations of Customs administrations globally. Represented at the event by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Tariff &Trade, Caroline Niagwan, Adeniyi added that the move aligns with the service's core mandate of implementing international trade laws. 'These include the WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 (Customs Valuation Agreement), the WCO Harmonized System Convention of 1988 and its Annexes, and the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin,' he said. According to him, the implementation of these agreements by the NCS stems from 'our role of collecting duties on internationally traded goods, which is essential for national economic development.' Adeniyi emphasised that determining customs duties through tariff classification, valuation, and origin assessment is a technically complex process. The CGC highlighted that these complexities can result in disputes, delays, and additional costs. He mentioned that challenges such as commercial fraud, revenue leakage, and the enforcement of policy measures to protect domestic industries, the environment, and public safety further complicate customs procedures. The NCS boss pointed out that with the increasing volume of global trade, expanding global value chains, and the rise of e-commerce and Just-In-Time services, it has become imperative for customs administrations to adopt mechanisms that support the seamless flow of legitimate trade. He maintained that in the context of Customs operations, trade facilitation refers to systems and procedures that streamline the import, export, and transit of goods. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
AFP
07-05-2025
- AFP
Old video used to claim Nigerian customs officials intercepted smuggled arms in April 2025
'The customs and other security agencies at Onne port seized 100 containers of imported sophisticated ammunitions that were headed to Abia state, which is about 80km from the seaport (sic),' reads an X post published on April 14, 2025. The post has been reposted more than 800 times. In the video, different types of firearms can be seen displayed on the ground. Voices can be heard in the background mentioning numbers and doing some sort of calculation, perhaps in an attempt to determine the number of firearms. 'Oh boy, no be size. Onne don shake, Onne is shaking (sic),' a voice says towards the end of the 51-second clip. Onne Port is located in Nigeria's Rivers state. Image Screenshot of the misleading post, taken on April 28, 2025 The video was published elsewhere on Facebook, Instagram and X in a similar context. The Nigeria Customs Service is a border security agency that facilitates international trade, enforces anti-smuggling laws, and imposes duties and tariffs. According to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, the circulation of small arms has contributed to the increased rate of kidnappings and secessionist agitations in Nigeria (archived here). While the video shows arms confiscated by Nigeria's customs officers, the post misleadingly frames the event as recent and exaggerates the size of the seizure. 2024 arms seizure AFP Factcheck conducted a reverse image search on keyframes from the video and the results established that it was taken last year. The clip was published on the Facebook account belonging to the Port Harcourt office of local broadcaster Classic FM on June 25, 2024 (archived here). 'Large cache of ammunitions allegedly seized in a bonded terminal in Onne Port, Rivers State,' the caption reads. The same firearms and ammunition appear in both videos. Image Screenshots comparing the misleading post (left) and the June 2024 video The clip was also published by other local media outlets at the time (archived here). Further searches led to a different video posted on the official Facebook account of the Nigeria Customs Service on July 6, 2024, revealing the contents of the confiscated container (archived here). In the video, Adewale Adeniyi, the customs comptroller general, said a container was flagged at Onne Port and examined on June 21, 2024. 'The suspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination. The result revealed the following alarming contents: 844 units of assorted rifles, 112,500 units of live ammunition,' Adeniyi said. He also noted that the arms were concealed using various items, including doors, furniture, leather bags and plumbing equipment. Other Nigerian news outlets also reported that the arms were found in one container, and not 100 as alleged in the recent online posts (archived here). In February 2025, customs officials handed over 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges that were smuggled into Nigeria to the office of the National Security Adviser (archived here).
Business Insider
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Authorities reveal the reason why smuggling Nigerian fuel to other countries has become attractive
Nigerian authorities have highlighted a nagging problem in the country's oil sector, which is the smuggling of petroleum products, intended for domestic use, outside the country. Despite the removal of fuel subsidy, it is still profitable for smugglers to take fuel illegally from Nigeria. Nigeria's relatively cheaper pump price encourages the illicit export of Premium Motor Spirit to neighboring nations. Price differentials fuel smuggling operations, leading to the launch of the operating Whirlwind initiative. The Nigeria Customs Service, via the group's Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, not only highlighted the problem but disclosed that the illegal activity is thriving. His assessment touched on the glaring difference between fuel prices in Nigeria and fuel prices outside the country. Speaking during the service's first quarter performance review held in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on Tuesday, the Comptroller General stated that 'Despite the removal of the fuel subsidy, it is still profitable for smugglers to take fuel illegally from Nigeria. You know that the prices are dynamic.' He also disclosed that even though Nigeria no more offers fuel subsidies, the relatively cheaper pump price still encourages the illicit export of Premium Motor Spirit to nations like the Benin Republic, Cameroon, and Niger. While PMS costs between N880 and N950 per litre in Nigeria, Adeniyi pointed out that the identical product is sold for significantly more in neighboring nations. What the Nigeria Customs Service highlighted about fuel smuggling The same product "Is lower compared to around N1600 and N2000 per litre in Cameroon, Niger, and the Benin Republic,' he stated. Even if the local costs of gasoline have significantly decreased in certain of these nations, the Customs chief emphasized that smuggling operations are still fueled by this large price differential. as seen on the Punch Newspaper. 'While the price of the products is coming down to around N850 and N900 per liter in places like Cameroon, it is close to N2,000 per liter, in Niger, it is N1,600 per liter, and the same with the Benin Republic,' he said. 'This arbitrage provides the incentive. That is why we launched the operating Whirlwind,' he added. In May 2023, prior to the president's inauguration and his declaration of the removal of fuel subsidies, fuel in Nigeria sold for ₦238.11 per liter; however, in May 2024, it sold for approximately ₦770 per liter. Currently fuel price is going for an average of ₦900.
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Customs intercepts $623,179 crude oil, others in South-East
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone C in Owerri at the weekend announced the seizure of N1,010,113,880.00 worth of contraband which included 78 Jerry Cans of 25 litre of Crude Oil, 102 bottles of 75 litres of Diesel, 80 Jerry cans of 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) amongst others in the South Eastern part of the country in the last one month. In a statement released by the Unit at the weekend, the Unit added that N13,451,848 was generated from Demand Notices (DN) within the period under review. During his first press briefing at the unit's headquarters in Owerri, the Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun stated that no matter the intentions of smugglers and their patronizers, the unit will not relent in carrying out its statutory functions which are backed up with intelligence-driven strategies by the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. The new Controller, while frowning at smuggling, stated that it is economic sabotage to bring in prohibited goods into the country which has negative impact on local industries, and affects the well-being of individuals. Notable among the seizures made by the Unit include: 725 Bales of second-hand used clothing; 2762 Rolls of Satin Fabrics of 60 yards; 2589 used tyres; 233 Sacks of 2Kg foreign Rice; 181 Rolls of Wall Covering; 102 Bottles of 75Cl Diesel; 8 Jerry cans of 25L of PMS; 78 Jerry cans of 25L Crude Oil; 32 New Tyres; 25 Bales of Cannabis Sativa; 24 Bottles of 150Cl of Diesel; 14 Bags of 50kg foreign rice; 3 Carton of Bedwine; one sack of used shoes; one Scannia Container Body truck with Registration number T 281 A2LA; one Mercedes Truck with Registration number NKE 323 XE; amongst others. The Controller of the unit while Commending officers/men of the unit during the briefing anchored his successes to focus, diligence, professionalism, and decision to contribute his quota to national economy, by blocking all revenue leakages, enforcement of trade facilitation and taking charge of the nation's entry points which is of uttermost importance to the unit. In continuation, he reiterated that the unit must work together to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and the CGC BA Adeniyi (MFR) to succeed. He also called on traders and stakeholders to be compliant, as our officers are professionally trained to checkmate the activities of non-compliant traders and block likely areas of revenue leakages. In our inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis sativa shall be handed over to NDLEA. These timely successes and achievements are a result of the purposeful leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, high-level of professionalism, commitment, and teamwork. He further added that the unit is also determined to sanitize the zone of any form of un-customs activities and facilitate legitimate is committed to the consolidation of successes achieved, collaborative engagement with critical stakeholders, and innovative ideas in its dealings to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in customs operations. The Controller used the medium to thank the sagacious CGC and his entire management team for their dynamic leadership styles and qualities. In conclusion, the controller commended the media for their continuous support and for spreading the gospel. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
New York Times
10-04-2025
- New York Times
Can Nigeria Help Save the Pangolins Amid a Global Wildlife Crime Crisis?
Demand for pangolins in Asia, where populations of these scaly mammals have dwindled, has driven traffickers to Africa, the only other continent where the increasingly endangered animals can be found. Nigeria has become a hub for pangolin trafficking and other illegal trading of wildlife. But authorities have been cracking down, recently arresting a Chinese national suspected of being a high-level pangolin trafficker and targeting a supply network in a market in Lagos this month. The latter investigation led to five more arrests and the seizure of 8,300 pounds of pangolin scales — prized in Asia for their perceived medicinal value — from an estimated 1,900 slain animals. Michael Awe, the regional customs chief, said the investigation sends 'a strong signal' that the Nigeria Customs Service 'will not relent in its efforts in fighting wildlife crime to a standstill.' The arrests are part of a enforcement push that shows Nigeria's increasing focus on combating animal trafficking is paying off, experts say. Nigeria's Customs Service made the arrests with intelligence from the Wildlife Justice Commission, a Netherlands-based foundation that supplies global law enforcement with evidence on criminal wildlife trafficking rings. The Chinese national detained in Lagos in February was connected to nearly 16,000 pounds of pangolin scales seized in August after a six-month investigation. 'The operation shows the value of long-term intelligence gathering and international cooperation — and it reflects a calculated effort to go beyond low-level busts,' said Dr. Meganne Natali, a lawyer and legal consultant specializing in wildlife crime. To disrupt global pangolin trafficking, investigators must focus on catching top operatives and not just lone poachers, who are often poor and low on the trafficking totem pole, she said. Wildlife trafficking is a $20 billion international industry, according to Interpol. The trade in protected pangolins is widely driven by desire for the scales in herbal medicine in China. But this is just a tiny fraction of demand for exotic animals, live and dead, around the world. Nigerian officers recently rescued 12 live African gray parrots, a protected and highly sought species, by following two suspicious unaccompanied boxes on an overnight bus trip earlier in April. A traveler from Cameroon was caught in late March in Nigeria with 213 parrot heads, 29 packs of parrot feathers, 128 African hornbill heads, five eagle heads and a pack of eagle feathers, and two chimpanzee heads and eight limbs, according to a regional customs chief, Chukwudi Ogbonna. 'This illegal wildlife trade not only undermines our biodiversity but also fuels transnational crime, threatening economic stability and public safety,' he said in a statement. Nigeria signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 1974, and enforcement broadly falls on the country's customs authority. But the authority's efforts were long seen as 'toothless' and it was 'not prepared or properly equipped,' Abim Isafiade, a former longtime officer there, wrote in the World Customs Organization magazine last year. That changed with the creation of the Special Wildlife Office in the customs service in 2021, she said, which became 'the new sheriff in town,' focusing on illegal trafficking. Since 2021, Nigerian officials have conducted 18 joint operations, leading to the seizure of more than 55,000 pounds of pangolin scales and 2,200 pounds of ivory. The cases have resulted in 12 convictions, including that of a Vietnamese trafficking kingpin, according to the W.J.C. Nigeria's efforts to shake its reputation as a wildlife trafficking hub have had laudable results, said Crawford Allan, a wildlife crime and policy expert at the World Wildlife Fund. Other countries are similarly toughening enforcement, he said. In Vietnam, which has long faced criticism for failing to curb illegal trade in endangered animals and products, authorities are being trained in techniques to ferret out traffickers and cooperating with counterparts abroad, said Mr. Allan, who has been involved in the training efforts. This week, authorities in Hong Kong said that the smuggling of vulnerable and endangered species, such as elephants, pangolins and rhinoceroses, had 'dropped significantly' after prosecutions and penalties for wildlife trafficking rose in 2021. Much of the global discussion of wildlife trafficking centers on Asia and Africa. But criminal rings are supplying consumers who want endangered and protected animals and products in every part of the world, and there are transit hubs everywhere. Europe is an important of 'destination, transit and origin for many' protected species, according to the The European Commission. Wildlife trafficking has become a lucrative business for criminal rings as demand has surged, sometimes rivaling the drug trade, Dr. Natali said. She noted that a kilo of rhinoceros horns, or 2.2 pounds, can sell for up to $75,000, which 'exceeds the value of cocaine right now.' While there is some evidence of a reduction in trafficking of some wildlife products, such efforts cannot be done in a vacuum, experts say. The United Nations last year noted that 'large and powerful organized crime groups operating in some of the most fragile and diverse ecosystems from the Amazon to the Golden Triangle' in Southeast Asia are involved, so attacking the problem 'requires a broader strategy to address organized crime.'
