The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 20 diverted transit containers with a total Duty Paid Value of N769.53 million in the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizures on Friday during a press briefing at the Customs House in Kano.
Adeniyi displayed the containers and outlined steps to curb cargo diversion and trade abuse.
Customs Targets Cargo Diversion
Adeniyi said the interceptions show Customs’ commitment to trade facilitation and national security.
He said the Service enforces zero tolerance for violations of customs laws.
Despite Free Trade Zones and other reforms, some operators still divert containers meant for inland terminals and bonded facilities.
Adeniyi said such actions breach Section 64(b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
He warned that cargo diversion causes revenue losses, commercial fraud, and reputational damage to Nigeria.
Breakdown of Seized Containers
Customs officers intercepted seven containers of vitrified tiles valued at N228.58 million along the Hadejia Road corridor.
The containers left the Kano Free Trade Zone before officers stopped them.
Officers also seized two containers of diesel engine oil worth N87.56 million and two containers of polyester materials valued at N77.99 million.
Customs officers recovered the items from private warehouses in the Dakata Industrial Area.
Officers intercepted another container carrying 308 bales of used clothing valued at N48.42 million near the Gano bonded terminal.
Customs officers also seized four containers of printed and lace fabrics worth N226.15 million while the goods travelled 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.
Officers further seized three containers conveying medical consumables and lace fabrics worth N25.2 million.
A Federal High Court in Kano ordered the forfeiture of two of the containers to the Federal Government on December 10, 2025.
Conviction, Technology, and Warning
Adeniyi said Customs continues to detain one container of printed fabrics valued at N75.01 million pending legal action.
He confirmed that the court convicted Abdulrahman Sani Adam for container diversion.
The court sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a N3 million fine.
Adeniyi also announced that Customs is finalising nationwide deployment of an electronic cargo tracking system.
He said the system already operates successfully across South-West and North-West corridors, including Kano and Jigawa.
“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.
