Customs Seizes 20 Diverted Containers Worth N769m In Kano, Jigawa

The Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizure of 20 diverted transit containers with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N769.53 million between the second and fourth quarters of 2025 at its Kano/Jigawa Area Command.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing at the Customs House in Kano, where he said the seizures were part of intensified enforcement actions against cargo diversion and abuse of transit procedures.

Adeniyi explained that the intercepted containers were originally destined for inland terminals and Free Trade Zones but were unlawfully diverted in violation of Section 64(b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He noted that the practice posed serious economic and security risks, including revenue loss and distortion of fair trade.

According to Adeniyi, the seizures comprised seven containers of vitrified tiles valued at N228.58 million, two containers of diesel engine oil worth N87.56 million, and two containers of polyester materials with a DPV of N77.99 million; one container of used clothing valued at N48.42 million and four containers of printed and lace fabrics with a DPV of N226.15 million.

Other seizures included a container of prohibited Zamzam bottled water valued at N21.46 million, as well as three containers carrying medical consumables and lace fabrics worth N25.2 million.

Adeniyi said two of the containers conveying medical items were forfeited to the Federal Government following a Federal High Court judgment delivered on December 10, 2025.

He added that one container of printed fabrics valued at N75 million is currently under detention pending legal processes.

The Comptroller-General further revealed that one suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, was convicted for container diversion and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a N3 million fine.

Adeniyi further explained that the Service is deploying electronic tracking devices nationwide to monitor container movement and prevent diversion, warning that offenders and any complicit officials would face prosecution, forfeiture and severe sanctions.

He urged importers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders to comply strictly with Customs transit regulations, stressing that the NCS remains committed to trade facilitation while maintaining zero tolerance for smuggling and cargo diversion.