Customs Seizes Diverted Containers Worth N769.5m In Kano/Jigawa
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized 20 diverted transit containers with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N769.53 million in the Kano/Jigawa Area Command between the second and fourth quarters of 2025.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Customs House, Kano, where he presented the seizures and outlined ongoing measures to curb cargo diversion and related trade abuses.
Adeniyi said the interceptions underscored the Service’s commitment to trade facilitation and national security, while maintaining a zero-tolerance stance against violations of customs laws.
He said that despite government initiatives such as Free Trade Zones and the adoption of international best practices, some operators have continued to divert containers en route to inland terminals and bonded facilities, in breach of Section 64(b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
According to him, cargo diversion poses serious economic and security risks, including revenue losses, commercial fraud and reputational damage to the country, adding that sustained enforcement has yielded significant results.
Providing a breakdown, the Comptroller-General said seven containers of vitrified tiles valued at N228.58 million were intercepted along the Hadejia Road corridor after being diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone.
Two containers of diesel engine oil worth N87.56 million and two containers of polyester materials valued at N77.99 million were also seized at private warehouses in the Dakata Industrial Area.
He further disclosed that a container carrying 308 bales of used clothing with a DPV of N48.42 million was intercepted near the Gano bonded terminal, while four containers loaded with printed and lace fabrics valued at N226.15 million were intercepted en route to bonded terminals in Kano.
Other seizures included a container of Zamzam branded bottled water valued at N21.46 million, which violated the Common External Tariff, as well as three containers conveying medical consumables and lace fabrics worth N25.2 million.
Two of the latter were forfeited to the Federal Government following a judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano, on December 10, 2025.
Adeniyi said one container carrying printed fabrics valued at N75.01 million remains under detention pending legal processes, while a suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, was convicted for container diversion and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a N3 million fine.
The Customs boss also announced that the Service is finalising the nationwide deployment of an electronic cargo tracking system, already tested successfully across the South-West and North-West corridors, including Kano/Jigawa.
He said the technology would provide real-time monitoring and alerts when containers deviate from approved routes.
He warned smugglers and collaborators that Customs now has enhanced capacity and technology to detect and prosecute offenders, urging shipping agents, freight forwarders and importers to comply strictly with transit procedures.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains a reliable partner in legitimate trade, but this partnership is founded on respect for the law and integrity,” Adeniyi said, calling on the public to report suspicious activities to Customs offices.