The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 20 diverted transit containers with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦769.53 million across the Kano/Jigawa corridor.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this at the weekend, explaining that the seizures were made between the second and fourth quarters of 2025 through intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing cargo diversion and protecting government revenue.
Adeniyi said cargo diversion poses a major threat to national revenue, security and Nigeria’s credibility in global trade.
“Cargo diversion is a serious offence that undermines government revenue, compromises national security and damages Nigeria’s standing in international commerce. The Nigeria Customs Service will deploy all lawful measures to detect, deter and punish offenders,” he said.
According to him, the intercepted containers contained various items, including vitrified tiles illegally diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone with a DPV of ₦228.6 million, diesel engine oil, polyester materials, used clothing, printed and lace fabrics, medical consumables and Zamzam bottled water. Some of the items are listed as prohibited imports under the Common External Tariff (CET) regulations.
The Customs boss disclosed that one of the containers is still under detention pending the completion of legal processes, while two containers of medical consumables were forfeited to the Federal Government following a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Kano Division, on December 10, 2025.
He also confirmed the arrest, prosecution and conviction of Abdulrahman Sani Adam for container diversion. The convict was sentenced to three years in prison with an option of a ₦3 million fine, which Adeniyi described as a strong deterrent to future violations.
To strengthen monitoring of transit cargo, Adeniyi announced the near-nationwide deployment of electronic container tracking devices, noting that the technology allows real-time monitoring, route compliance and tamper alerts from ports to inland destinations.
Reaffirming the Service’s commitment to trade facilitation, revenue protection and border security, the Comptroller-General warned that smugglers and their collaborators would face prosecution, forfeiture and loss of trading privileges.
He urged importers, clearing agents and logistics operators to strictly comply with approved transit procedures and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Customs office.
