Kano/Jigawa Customs seizes N769.5 million in diverted transit containers, part of nationwide crackdown on cargo diversion and illegal trade practices.
The Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on cargo diversion and other trade infractions, seizing 20 transit containers valued at over N769.5 million.
The seizures underscore the agency’s commitment to safeguarding government revenue, securing trade corridors, and promoting lawful commerce across the country.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, personally paraded the seized containers at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command’s Customs House.
He explained that the operation is part of a coordinated national strategy designed to curb illegal trade practices, preserve revenue, and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s logistics and trade corridors linking seaports, inland dry ports, and Free Trade Zones.
Among the recovered goods were containers of ceramic and vitrified tiles, diesel engine oil, polyester fabrics, used clothing, printed and lace textiles, medical consumables, and Zamzam-branded bottled water.
Some of these products are prohibited under the Common External Tariff, making their diversion a significant violation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The containers, originally cleared from Nigeria’s seaports for movement to inland bonded terminals and Free Trade Zones, were unlawfully redirected to private warehouses and local markets.
This act of cargo diversion not only undermines the revenue-generating capabilities of the Federal Government but also compromises the competitiveness of compliant importers.
Comptroller-General Adeniyi stressed that cargo diversion constitutes a grave economic offence.
“Such practices lead to revenue losses, encourage smuggling, distort fair competition, and negatively affect Nigeria’s reputation in the global trading system,” he said.
He also highlighted that the recent seizures occurred mainly along the Kano and Jigawa axis but reflect a nationwide enforcement push aimed at curbing illegal trade activities.
Among those apprehended, one suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, has been convicted by the Federal High Court in Kano for container diversion and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with an alternative fine of N3 million.
This conviction demonstrates the NCS’s determination to prosecute offenders and serve as a deterrent against cargo diversion and other unlawful practices.
The seizures recorded between the second and fourth quarters of 2025 included seven containers of ceramic tiles alone, valued at over N228 million, diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone and intercepted along the Hadejia Road corridor.
The variety of goods recovered during the operation underscores the widespread nature of cargo diversion and the need for continuous monitoring of trade movements.
In line with modern enforcement measures, the NCS is advancing the deployment of a comprehensive electronic cargo tracking system across all transit corridors, bonded terminals, and Free Trade Zones.
According to Adeniyi, “The electronic tracking system, already validated and successfully deployed in several Southern states, is ready for nationwide rollout, allowing real-time monitoring of cargo and early detection of route deviations.”
This initiative aims to reduce opportunities for cargo diversion, improve trade compliance, and enhance transparency across all operational terminals.
Adeniyi also warned importers, shipping agents, and freight forwarders against facilitating cargo diversion.
Violators risk prosecution, forfeiture of goods, and permanent revocation of trading privileges.
He urged stakeholders to adopt ethical practices and to assist the Customs Service by reporting any suspicious trade activities, emphasizing that collaboration between the public and regulatory authorities is essential to curbing illegal trade.
The Comptroller-General reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s trade facilitation and non-oil revenue objectives.
By addressing cargo diversion and other infractions, the Service is strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global trading environment while ensuring a level playing field for compliant traders.
The successful seizures also highlight the importance of intelligence-led operations in combating illegal trade.
NCS officials deployed coordinated surveillance and inspection teams, tracking suspicious consignments from port clearance to inland destinations.
This proactive approach has been central to intercepting diverted cargo and preventing potential losses to government revenue.
Beyond revenue protection, the crackdown on cargo diversion serves to enhance Nigeria’s trade compliance framework.
It signals to both local and international traders that unlawful practices will not be tolerated and that the Customs Service is committed to maintaining secure, transparent, and fair trade corridors nationwide.
As Nigeria continues to expand its non-oil revenue streams, operations like the recent Kano/Jigawa seizures demonstrate the pivotal role of the Customs Service in driving economic growth, facilitating lawful commerce, and safeguarding public resources.
Adeniyi concluded by urging all stakeholders to uphold regulatory compliance, cooperate with enforcement agencies, and remain vigilant against acts of cargo diversion that undermine the country’s economic development.
Through this nationwide campaign, the Nigeria Customs Service is not only protecting government revenue but also promoting a culture of integrity and accountability in the nation’s trade ecosystem.
Cargo diversion, the Comptroller-General stressed, will continue to attract strict enforcement measures until trade practices across all corridors comply fully with the law.
Ireport247news
