The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has commended the Nigeria Customs Service Kano/Jigawa Area Command for generating over ₦31.4 billion in revenue, including an unprecedented ₦6 billion from the Kano Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) for Q1 2025, an increase from ₦459.45 million in the same period last year.
This was disclosed in a press release by Chief Superintendent of Customs TY Balarabe, the
Public Relations Officer of the command on 18th May, 2025.
During an oversight visit to the Command on Thursday, May 16, 2025, the Committee led by Senator Isah Jibrin praised the Command’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth, citing robust revenue collection and critical seizures that bolster national security.
Receiving the Committee, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) A.A.S. Oloyede, Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, highlighted the collaborative support received from local stakeholders and traditional institutions. In a somber moment, he also announced the loss of two officers in a recent bandit attack on the Kebbi Command, noting the destruction of property during the incident.
On enforcement, the Command recorded notable successes, seizing 13 contraband items including 491,100 tablets of Tramadol, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦522.47 million. In a landmark anti-money laundering effort, the Command also intercepted over $1 million in undeclared foreign currencies at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, he described it as the highest single seizure of its kind.
Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, who assumed leadership of the Command in February 2025, attributed the successes to ongoing stakeholder sensitization and capacity-building programs for officers, which he said have significantly improved operational efficiency.
The Senate Committee also engaged stakeholders during a roundtable, where local traders and operators commended the Command for transparent processes but raised concerns over issues like frequent network downtime and poor road infrastructure. Senator Jibrin assured them that the Committee would work with relevant authorities to resolve these challenges.
The Committee urged the Service to intensify efforts in plugging revenue leakages and enhancing border security through increased anti-smuggling initiatives.
As part of their visit, the lawmakers toured the Kano Free Trade Zone, where Acting Director Richard Bassey conducted them through various enterprises. They also inspected operations at Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL).
In a symbolic gesture, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving at the Command presented a poem titled “The Impact of the Senate Committee on Customs”.
The Committee concluded the visit by commending Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his reforms in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border control, noting that his leadership has empowered Commands like Kano/Jigawa to thrive.
