Kano/Jigawa Customs Generates N63.08bn, Seizes Four Air Pistols, Intercepts $568,100 in H1 2026
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated N63.08 billion in revenue between January and June 2026, representing a 7.4 per cent increase over the N58.39 billion collected during the corresponding period in 2025, while also seizing four air pistols, intercepting $568,100 in undeclared foreign currency, and confiscating contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.71 billion.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Command in Kano, on Tuesday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, said the Command’s performance followed a comprehensive review of its administrative and operational processes upon his assumption of office.
He said the review enabled the Command to identify operational gaps, strengthen existing systems and implement initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing compliance, boosting revenue generation, suppressing smuggling and ensuring effective implementation of government fiscal and trade policies.
According to Adamu, the Command generated N63,078,655,523.44 between January and June 2026, exceeding the N58,389,838,284.87 realised during the corresponding period of 2025 by N4.69 billion, despite a decline in cargo throughput.
He disclosed that the Kano Free Trade Zone generated over N26 billion during the first half of 2026, surpassing the Zone’s entire revenue for 2025 by approximately N4 billion. The Command also recovered about N3 billion through the detection and prevention of abuses in Customs transit procedures.
On enforcement, the Acting Controller said intelligence driven operations and stronger collaboration with other security agencies resulted in 13 categories of major detentions and seizures valued at N1,711,235,899.20.
The seizures included unregistered pharmaceuticals such as tramadol and pregabalin intercepted in line with Section 55(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, four air pistols imported in contravention of the Firearms Act, elephant tusks protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff (CET) Export Prohibition List.
Others were over 2,000 pieces of 25-litre kegs of foreign refined packaged vegetable oil imported contrary to Schedule 3 of the CET Import Prohibition List to protect local industries, military gear and accoutrements, 14 forty-foot transit containers linked to diversion and abuse of Customs transit procedures in violation of Sections 45, 64 and 235 of the NCS Act 2023, smuggled vehicles and truck heads, an RX Drone Camera GPS imported without an End User Certificate, foreign spaghetti and macaroni, foreign parboiled rice, as well as counterfeit packaging materials for agrochemicals and insecticides in violation of intellectual property rights and Section 168 of the NCS Act 2023.
Adamu revealed that 22 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. While some have been handed over to relevant security and regulatory agencies for further investigation, others remain on administrative bail.
The Acting Controller further disclosed that the Command recorded major interceptions at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, involving the cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currencies and negotiable instruments in violation of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The intercepted items comprised 568,100 United States Dollars, 134,256 Saudi Riyals, 28 Chinese Yuan, 20 Ghana Cedis, and 35 kilograms of silver bars valued at N175 million, which he said underscored the Command’s commitment to combating illicit financial flows and safeguarding Nigeria’s financial system.
Highlighting the strategies behind the achievements, Adamu said the Command strengthened its transire monitoring process through the introduction of an end-to-end transire dispatch system, streamlined revenue collection at border stations, intensified intelligence-driven surveillance to detect smuggling and cargo diversion, reviewed cargo clearance procedures at bonded terminals and strengthened monitoring and compliance at the Kano Free Trade Zone.
He added that the Command also sustained regular stakeholder engagement and capacity building programmes for officers and stakeholders while developing a real time dashboard to monitor and evaluate revenue generation.
Adamu attributed the successes recorded during the review period to the dedication and professionalism of officers and men of the Command, as well as the reforms and innovations introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team.
He also appreciated other security and regulatory agencies, stakeholders and the media for their cooperation and support, urging members of the public to comply with government fiscal and trade policies.
The Acting Controller assured that the Command would continue to strengthen intelligence driven operations, deepen stakeholder collaboration, facilitate legitimate trade, protect the nation’s economy and sustain revenue generation in the second half of 2026.
One Comment