Customs To Sanction Non-compliant Importers, Clearing Agents

The Customs Area Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Compt. Aliyu Gambo has cautioned smugglers operating across land borders and Nigeria’s waterways in the South West to desist from illegal activities, stressing that, there will be no safe routes and no hiding places.

Speaking to journalists, the newly appointed Customs CAC, stated that, surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-led operations would be intensified to ensure that smugglers are apprehended and prosecuted.

According to him, anyone involved in smuggling, regardless of scale or route, will be made to face the full weight of the law.

Gambo also warned importers and clearing agents who believe they can short-change the government through under-payment, under-declaration, false declaration, or trade misinvoicing that such practices will be uncovered.

He said, “importers who think they can evade their obligations through under-declaration or under-payment should rethink, because Customs will detect these practices and recover every kobo due to the government.”

He explained that, “Customs is strengthening risk assessment systems, post-clearance audits, and intelligence collaboration to track consignments from origin to destination, noting that “distance or foreign shipping points will not shield non-compliance.”

While reaffirming Customs’ commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, Gambo stressed that compliance remains non-negotiable, stating that “those who play by the rules have nothing to fear, but compliance is not optional.”

On Reputational Management, the Controller said accountability and transparency are central to public trust, noting that the ethical tone set by the CGC has significantly improved public perception of the Service.

He assured that FOU Zone A would sustain and deepen these gains, emphasising that “Customs has a social contract with Nigerians and must deliver value without losing sight of its mandate in the trade value chain.”

Beyond revenue and trade facilitation, Gambo highlighted the security dimension of Customs operations, warning of the nexus between smuggling, illicit drugs, arms proliferation, and rising criminality.

He observed that, challenges such as banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping make effective border control a national security imperative critical to protecting lives, the economy, and national stability.

Gambo has pledged to intensify intelligence-driven operations, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and promote welfare and professionalism within the ranks ensuring that FOU Zone A not only sustains its anti-smuggling successes but also advances the broader objectives of the service economic protection, trade facilitation, and national security.

He stressed that, sustainable reform begins with mindset change, noting that, officers must internalise professionalism, discipline, and service values, while stakeholders must appreciate that Customs operations are guided strictly by national interest and the rule of law.

He explained that, Customs operates within a complex, post-globalisation trade environment that demands adaptability, intelligence-led enforcement, and constructive stakeholder engagement, adding that, change must be both internal and external, reshaping behaviour while strengthening institutional culture.

On compliance management, Gambo emphasised strict adherence to procedures and ethical standards, balanced with an understanding of Nigeria’s trade realities.

He made it clear that compliance would not be optional, but enforcement would be firm, fair, and intelligence-driven.

FOU Zone A, he said, will adopt a ‘carrot and stick’ approach that rewards compliance while decisively sanctioning infractions, in line with the CGC’s broader reform agenda centred on merit, competence, and fairness.