Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, expressed deep sorrow in announcing the tragic passing of Customs Assistant II Auwal Haruna, who died in an unfortunate incident that occurred at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in Dankama area of Katsina State.

According to a statement issued to newsmen and signed by the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Abdullahi Maiwada, said the sad incident was triggered when a team of Customs officers attached to Katsina Area Command attempted to intercept a convoy of over fifty vehicles transporting goods suspected to be smuggled outside the Country.

CSC Maiwada, in the statement, noted, “Haruna and his fellow officers exhibited remarkable courage in their duty to thwart these audacious economic saboteurs. Their actions sparked a confrontation with an enraged mob who viciously attacked and fatally assaulted CA II Auwal Haruna.”

He narrated that the late Customs Officer has since been laid to rest according to Islamic rites in his hometown, Kayawa, under the Dutsi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and the entire NCS management team extended heartfelt condolences to the family of CA II Auwal Haruna.

He also vehemently condemned the disheartening act of violence that led to his untimely demise and assures a comprehensive investigation into this tragic incident to ensure justice is served.

The CGC, who underscored the perilous challenges officers face in their daily mission to safeguard the nation’s borders under his stewardship, assured that the Service stands firmly united with the fallen officer’s family during this period of profound grief.

“The NCS remains steadfast in its efforts to combat illegal activities such as smuggling, prioritising Nigeria’s border integrity while ensuring the safety of citizens and dedicated customs personnel.” the statement said.

Author: Vivian Daniel.

The Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Area Command, Lagos, has unveiled its extraordinary achievements, having recorded significant revenue generation for the 1st Quarter of 2024.

In a press statement signed on Monday, 15 April 2024, by Ngozi Okwara, the Command Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, revealed that the command’s first-quarter revenue goal for 2024 increased by 139%, amounting to a difference of ₦177,079,358,035.36, compared to the same period in 2023.

According to the statement, the Command recorded a total collection of ₦303,937,547,265.47 in the first quarter of 2024, as opposed to ₦126,858,189,231.31 recorded in the same period of 2023.

For the export activities of the Command, in terms of volume (MT) and value (FOB), export trade also witnessed exponential growth within the same period under review. Comparatively, the tonnage of goods exported via TCIP increased from 145,906.33 MT in 2023 to 251,679.89 MT in 2024, representing an increase of 95.3%.

Likewise, there was an over 300% increase in the FOB value of exports, rising from ₦80,993,580,710 to ₦287,792,767,415.00 between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, respectively.

In his remarks, Comptroller Dera Nnadi congratulated officers, men, and stakeholders of the command for embracing service delivery and teamwork, surpassing the first-quarter revenue target of 2024. He acknowledged the efforts of all units within the Area Command in achieving these results.

“I challenge you to come up with modalities and new strategies to meet the revenue target for April and the months ahead despite the series of holidays the country has embarked upon,” the CAC emphasised.

“Stakeholders should be highly esteemed and treated with respect, but with due diligence to identify compliant and non-compliant traders,” he noted.

The Customs Area Controller emphasised that the Command’s enforcement and anti-smuggling unit has not relented in its effort to combat smuggling and all forms of criminality. According to him, the NCS, being the lead agency at the ports, has coordinated several 100% physical examinations under his supervision, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations.

“The anti-smuggling activities of the Command recorded a total seizure of 57 packets of heroin weighing 56.390kg with a street value of ₦902,240,000.00; 3,612 packets of Colorado Indica weighing 956.772kg with a street value of ₦4,055,400,000.00. All the seized illicit drugs have been handed over to the relevant sister agencies,” he added.

The statement also highlighted some stakeholders’ activities of the Area Command, including hosting various sessions of Stakeholders’ forums for Shipping Companies, Terminal Operators, Freight Forwarders, and Security Agencies, both physically and virtually, aimed at enhancing communication channels and minimising revenue loss.

The CAC equally notified stakeholders of the Command’s challenges and the efforts were put in place to overcome them, especially regarding goods released from terminals within the port premises.

“I have the honour to inform you that irrespective of the challenges observed, the Area Command has not relented in its efforts to achieve its aim. The Time Release Study (TRS) aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within Customs Operations by assessing the time it takes for goods to be released from terminals within the port premises. This will be unveiled with time, yet be assured that there is progress,” he stated.

In efforts to create a level playing field for importers and stakeholders by decongesting the ports, the Area Controller encouraged stakeholders to strategize for the formation of new terminals. He noted that activities have commenced at the terminals.

The CAC appreciated the support and leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, towards consolidating the capacity of the Service through innovation and creativity.

“We continue to express our profound appreciation for the support and clear sense of direction from the Comptroller General of Customs, and his management team for their relentless efforts towards strengthening the Service’s capacity and introducing innovative methods to perform its statutory responsibilities in line with international best practices,” he extolled.

By Ibe Wada

Officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operation Unit, Zone A, have completed a one-month intensive weapon handling training along with a study tour to Gbaji Check Point, Badagry.

The Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja, DC Haniel Hadison, who spearheaded the sixty-six participants and other officers to Gbaji on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, noted that the initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

He said, “Our outing is in line with the concerted efforts of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, in capacity building, and we are thankful for the approval of the one-month weapon training of some selected officers of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja”.

“We are here this morning at Gbaji, the approved checkpoints manned by the Federal Operations Unit and other sister agencies. We have brought our students to come and see how checkpoint activities are being carried out to relate what they have learned to what is happening in real-time at the checkpoint. ” He added.

DC Hadison explained that the study tour aligns with the college’s curriculum regarding customs activities.

“For the past three weeks or thereabouts, these selected officers of FOU ‘A’ have undergone weapon handling and checkpoints exercises, also exposed to different Customs activities as it relates to enforcement, such as weapon handling and discipline, escorts activities, bodily duties and other enforcement activities, patrols activities, arrest techniques as it concerns global best practices.” He stated.

Hadison emphasised that the training is a continuous one, as the Service will continue to expose officers to best practices of weapons handling and discipline.

He appreciated the CGC for the opportunity given, even on the last day of the training.

After teaching and showing the officers firsthand techniques on checkpoint assessment, Assistant Comptroller Adewale Egunjobi, the Officer in Charge of Operations, Gbaji, expressed satisfaction with the student’s performance, affirming their readiness to assume greater responsibilities within the service.

“It’s a mission accomplished. Today marks one of my best days in the service, witnessing these students showcase their skills. I have complete confidence in their abilities to uphold customs’ standards. “.

Chief Superintendent of Customs Ibrahim Salati, the National Coordinator of Rural-Urban Border Patrol Operations, commended the officers’ proficiency in weapon handling and enforcement techniques.

Salati emphasised the importance of practical training in preparing officers for their duties.

“When you look at them, the way they handle rifles shows that the purpose of the training has been achieved,” Salati stated.

“We owe gratitude to the CGC and the Commandant for emphasising the practical side of training, ensuring our officers are well-prepared to tackle enforcement tasks.”. He concluded.