KANO/JIGAWA CUSTOMS REPORTS N63BN REVENUE, SEIZES SMUGGLED GOODS WORTH N1.7BN

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, generated N63.07 billion in revenue between January and June 2026, representing a 7.4 per cent increase compared to the N58.3 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.

The Acting Area Controller, Usman Umar Adamu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano, on the command’s performance during the first half of the 2026 fiscal year.

Adamu attributed the improved revenue performance to enhanced operational efficiency despite a decline in cargo throughput during the review period.

He also revealed that the Kano Free Trade Zone generated more than N26 billion in the first six months of 2026, surpassing the zone’s total revenue for the entire 2025 fiscal year by about N4 billion.

According to him, the command recovered approximately N3 billion through efforts to curb the abuse of transit procedures and intercepted 14 containers linked to the diversion and misuse of Customs clearance processes, contrary to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The Acting Controller said the successes were driven by intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with other security agencies, aimed at protecting the nation’s economy and preventing the importation of prohibited and restricted goods.

He noted that the command recorded 13 categories of seizures, including smuggled vehicles, truck heads, foreign spaghetti, macaroni, parboiled rice, vegetable oil, and counterfeit packaging materials used for agrochemicals and insecticides.

Adamu further disclosed that 22 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. While some have been transferred to relevant security and regulatory agencies for further investigation, others have been granted administrative bail.

He added that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stood at N1.7 billion.

The Acting Area Controller urged traders and other stakeholders to comply with government trade and fiscal regulations, assuring that the command would sustain intelligence-driven operations and partnerships to facilitate legitimate trade, safeguard the economy, and boost revenue generation for national development.