Customs Reduces Checkpoints, Adopts Tech To Fight Smuggling

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has approved the reduction of checkpoints across the country in order to facilitate legitimate trade, ease the movement of goods and persons.

Also, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja of the NCS, said it intercepted 48,912 pieces of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from January to December 2024.

National public relations officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the reduction in checkpoints across the country was to remove bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthen border security, combat smuggling and facilitate legitimate trade.

According to Maiwada, the service has also dissolved the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), after consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“To strengthen border management, the NCS has reinvigorated its 2025 Enforcement Strategy. This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons. Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

“Also, the Service is deploying geospatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of NCS enforcement strategies.

This development underscores the Service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.

“Drawing from the above strategies, the Service also announces the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) after due consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“This operation, which commenced in 2019 with a code name “Ex-Swift Response” and later evolved into JBPT, was initially designed to enforce the partial border closure policy. Since its inception, the JBPT has played a pivotal role in curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations.”

Maiwada in the statement stated that the measures will not compromise border security or trade facilitation but rather represent a significant step towards modernising Customs operations, improving trade compliance, and strengthening national security.

“The NCS acknowledges and deeply appreciates the cooperation and dedication of other government agencies that partnered in this endeavour. Their invaluable contributions have been instrumental in safeguarding Nigeria’s land borders.

“The Service assures the general public and stakeholders that these measures will not compromise border security or trade facilitation but rather, they represent a significant step towards modernising customs operations, improving trade compliance, and strengthening national security.

“While soliciting the support of all stakeholders in the good fight against economic saboteurs, the CGC reassured his commitment and that of his officers and men to secure the nation’s borders effectively, facilitate legitimate trade, and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, in a press briefing with Journalists, on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), of the command, Compt. Kola Oladeji, said the seized foreign parboiled rice is equivalent to 82 Trucks. According to the Customs boss, the unit intercepted 707 different seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N18.71 billion.

Other seizures are, 191,975 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 7,861kg of Cannabis sativa; 6,168 pieces of dry donkey skins; 37,630 sachets of Tramadol and 207 units of Motor Vehicles

Some of which were arrested for short payment of Duty and later cleared after payment of outstanding Duty

Others are; 6,755 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 1,433 bales of used clothes; 1,773 units of used refrigerator compressors and 317 cartons of illicit medicament. The unit also arrested 94 suspects, six of whom have been convicted for various offences. These actions, according to the NCS, reflect its commitment to combating illicit trade and enforcing compliance with the Customs Act of 2023.

‘These achievements underscore our determination to protect the nation’s economy and security against illicit cross-border trade and movement around our borders,’ he stated.

Oladeji noted that the recently launched Operation Swift Sting has delivered remarkable results within just two weeks, including the seizure of cannabis sativa, 4,010 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, and significant quantities of PMS. “It is clear that Operation Swift Sting is delivering unbearable heat to the smuggling cartels while ensuring the facilitation of compliant trade with impressive outcomes,” he said.

Additionally, the Unit recovered N1.012 billion in revenue through documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices to address underpayment of duties. Oladeji emphasised the importance of intelligence-driven operations in preventing smuggling.

“Smuggling operations that employ ingenious concealment methods could have significant impact on the Nation’s economy and security if not checked with modern intelligence tools. Hence, the Service is calling on all citizens to support its anti-smuggling efforts by providing useful and timely information on illicit Cross Border Trade.

“In the course of fighting the menace of smuggling, we also raised awareness about its dangers and the importance of complying with Customs regulations. We remain resolute in protecting the nation’s Economy, Security and Health through coordinated synergy with relevant stakeholders.

“I commend the Cooperation and support of all Security Agencies, Media practitioners and other stakeholders, and the general public in providing timely information, support and advice. In the same vain I extend my deepest appreciation to our gallant officers for their unwavering commitment and Service to our dear Nation. Your unrelenting efforts at preventing the importation of prohibited and harmful products, dedication to protecting our Nation’s economy and security do not go unnoticed,” he stressed.

He also called on citizens to support the Customs Service by providing timely information on illicit cross-border trade. ‘The Service is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of smuggling and the importance of compliance with Customs regulations,’ he added.