The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 20 diverted transit containers valued at ₦769.5 million in combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) across the Kano/Jigawa axis. This significant seizure was announced by Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adeniyi during a press conference in Kano. The operation, which took place in the second and fourth quarters of the year, was driven by intelligence-based enforcement efforts aimed at dismantling organized cargo diversion networks.
According to Adeniyi, cargo diversion poses serious economic and security implications for Nigeria, undermining government revenue and damaging the country’s credibility in international trade. The seized containers held a range of items, including vitrified tiles diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone, diesel engine oil, polyester materials, used clothing, and medical consumables. Some of these items fall under prohibited imports as outlined in the Common External Tariff (CET) regulations.
The NCS has noted that one container remains under detention pending legal proceedings, while two containers loaded with medical consumables were forfeited to the Federal Government following a court judgment on December 10, 2025. Additionally, Abdulrahman Sani Adam was arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for container diversion, receiving a three-year prison sentence or a ₦3 million fine.
To enhance transit cargo control, the NCS is nearing completion of its electronic container tracking device deployment nationwide. This technology enables real-time monitoring of containers, ensures route compliance, and triggers alerts in cases of tampering. The CGC reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to revenue protection, trade facilitation, and border security, warning smugglers and their collaborators of prosecution, forfeiture of goods, and loss of trading privileges.
Importers, clearing agents, and logistics operators are urged to comply strictly with approved transit procedures and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Customs formation. The NCS’s efforts to combat cargo diversion and strengthen transit cargo control underscore the importance of protecting national revenue and security. As the Service continues to deploy innovative technologies and enforcement strategies, it is likely that the incidence of cargo diversion will decrease, promoting a more secure and efficient trade environment in Nigeria.