The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 20 diverted transit containers valued at ₦769.53 million under the Kano/Jigawa Area Command between the second and fourth quarters of 2025.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Customs House in Kano, attributing the seizures to intensified enforcement operations targeting cargo diversion and abuse of transit procedures.
Adeniyi said the containers were originally consigned to inland container depots and Free Trade Zones but were illegally diverted in contravention of Section 64(b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He noted that such practices undermine government revenue, distort legitimate trade and pose security risks.
According to him, the seizures included seven containers of vitrified tiles with a duty paid value (DPV) of ₦228.58 million; two containers of diesel engine oil valued at ₦87.56 million; and two containers of polyester materials worth ₦77.99 million.
He added that other intercepted items comprised one container of used clothing valued at ₦48.42 million; four containers of printed and lace fabrics with a DPV of ₦226.15 million; a container of prohibited Zamzam bottled water valued at ₦21.46 million; and three containers carrying medical consumables and lace fabrics worth ₦25.2 million.
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The Comptroller-General disclosed that two containers containing medical supplies were forfeited to the Federal Government following a Federal High Court judgment delivered on December 10, 2025.
He also revealed that one container of printed fabrics valued at ₦75 million is currently under detention pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.
On prosecution, Adeniyi said one suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, was convicted for container diversion and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦3 million fine.
He further stated that the Service has begun deploying electronic tracking devices nationwide to monitor container movements and curb diversion, warning that offenders and any complicit officials would face prosecution, forfeiture of goods and stiff sanctions.
Adeniyi urged importers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders to adhere strictly to customs transit regulations, assuring that while the Service remains committed to trade facilitation, it will maintain zero tolerance for smuggling and cargo diversion.
