ANOTHER ONSLOUGHT BY APAPA CUSTOMS AND NDLEA ON 347.5KG ILLICIT DRUGS CONCEALMENT IN 13 BAGS

By Okey Iroegbu 

The synergy between other security operatives with the Nigeria Customs Service more especially the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is paying off seriously. In what should be termed a major joint operation recently, the Apapa Port Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 347.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud; a potent strain of cannabis,  hidden inside an imported Toyota Sienna vehicle. According to the report reaching this media through the Command's Public Relations Officer,

Chief Superintendent of Customs CSC Isah Sulaiman, the seizure occurred some hours after the good news of the Customs Area Controller  (CAC) of Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, receiving of a World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit. The illicit substance was concealed in Thirteen (13) bags within one of four vehicles contained in a single import consignment. Each of the Ten bags were confirmed to weigh 25kg, One at 29kg, and Two at 34.5kg and 34kg respectively, totaling 347.5kg. It could be noticed

that this marks the fourth significant joint drug interception by the NCS and NDLEA at Apapa Port within the last two months, underscoring Comptroller Oshoba’s firm commitment that no cargo whether import or export will pass through the port without thorough examination. “Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted. We remain vigilant and resolute in the discharge of our duty to protect our society and national security,” Comptroller Oshoba warns The report further confirms that the operation highlights the exemplary inter-agency collaboration championed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD. The intelligence sharing and joint efforts of the Customs and NDLEA officers have consistently outmaneuvered smuggling networks in Nigeria’s maritime sector. With the intended high

capacity 200-container-per-hour scanning at the command which will further enhance technology-driven anti-smuggling operations, the CAC is very sure that smuggling through the command would be defeated. He also saw  strengthened partnership and emphasized that the upcoming deployment of this high-capacity scanning

would be the answer to curtail concealments.  The report also confirmed that the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA  Standard Operating Procedures continue to foster zero tolerance, unwavering professionalism and seamless cooperation among officers. In line with established protocols, the seized 347.5kg of Canadian Loud has been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of associated suspects. It could be noted that this latest success builds on the recognition accorded to Comptroller

Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander Mohammed Tukur, who were both awarded the WCO Certificate of Merit on Monday, 26 January 2026, in Abuja as part of activities commemorating the International Customs Day celebrations in Nigeria. As a warning to critical stakeholders, Comptroller Oshoba reaffirms the Command's dedication to facilitating legitimate trade while intensifying efforts to disrupt illicit activities and safeguard society. This interception aligns with the 2026 ICD theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”

APAPA CUSTOMS RECORDS IMPRESSIVE ₦2.93TR REVENUE IN 2025

By Okey Iroegbu 

Reinforcing the position of Apapa Customs Command as the nation’s leading revenue hub and flagship of all the Customs Area commands, the command generated a total revenue of Two Trillion, Nine Hundred and Thirty Billion, Five Hundred and Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Naira and Thirty Two Kobo (₦2,930,508,827,110.32) only in 2025, recording an impressive increase of ₦573,295,266,571.10  over the ₦2,357,213,560,539.22  collected in 2024, representing a 24.32 per cent growth. According to the press release from the new Public Relations Officers of the command, CSC Isah Sulaiman, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, attributed the achievement to effective leadership, disciplined manpower and the strategic deployment of technology under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, psc(+). He also commended compliant stakeholders whose lawful trade practices contributed significantly to the revenue growth. "A major contributor to the success was the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, which enhanced transparency, efficiency and accountability in cargo clearance processes. Regular performance reviews and timely revenue recovery measures further strengthened collections. "In the area of trade facilitation, the Command intensified stakeholder sensitisation following the rollout of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and expanded the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative to ensure faster processing and release of compliant cargoes. Efforts are also at an advanced stage to deploy the FS6000 cargo scanning system, a non-intrusive technology capable of scanning up to 200 containers per hour," according to the report In the report on anti-smuggling, the Command also recorded enforcement successes, intercepting 53 containers laden with illicit drugs and prohibited items, including cocaine, Canadian Loud, Tramadol, and expired pharmaceuticals with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12,632,239,303.00k. Some of the interceptions in the year 2025 were handed over to relevant agencies such as NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and possible prosecution. Finally, Comptroller Oshoba assured stakeholders of enhanced engagement with terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, haulage operators and the media to promote transparency, compliance and seamless trade at the nation’s flagship of all Customs commands.

2025 WAS HISTORIC IN REVENUE GENERATION BY SEME BORDER COMMAND

By Okey Iroegbu 

Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service, has recorded unprecedented revenue milestones in 2025. It could be noted that the CAC reiterated the need for the command to improve on its revenue generation at previous briefings. According to the report reaching this media through the new Public Relations Officer of the command, SC Tunde Ayagbalo that this record is achieving its highest-ever monthly and annual collections since inception. "In December 2025, the Command generated a historic Three Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety Naira (₦3,628,485,590.00); the highest monthly revenue on record. This record is attributed to the effective rollout of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative by the Comptroller-General of Customs, which improves the Command's coordination and trade facilitation for stakeholders. "From January to December 2025, the Command generated the  total  of Fifteen Billion, Five Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Four Naira (₦15,598,945,794.00k) only, marking a remarkable 117% increase over the ₦7,166,576,397.49 recorded in 2024, from the report. The historic hosting and the launch of the Green Border Initiative by the National President of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi on 11 November 2025, is still fresh in the memory of stakeholders. The event featured an empowerment programme involving distribution of industrial sewing machines, grinding machines, gas burners with cylinders and start-up grants to members of the COWA Seme Chapter. Another selling point on the administration of Comptroller Adenuga is the taming of the Shrewd in the area of multiple checkpoints. In alignment with the Comptroller-General’s directive, Comptroller Adenuga, has successfully reduced checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor to the Two (2) locations approved by the Federal Government, significantly easing legitimate trade, minimising delays and contributing to the Command’s outstanding revenue performance. On the area of anti-smuggling operations, seizures in December 2025;  685 parcels of Cannabis sativa (Marijuana), 495 packs of Tramadol, and 2,000 packs of Super Power Sildenafil tablets (300mg) an excessively high-dosage sexual enhancement drug,  through intelligence-led operations, enhanced patrols, risk profiling and inter-agency collaboration. Finally, the Customs Area Controller, expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR PhD and the Management for their steadfast support and leadership. He also thanked the Command’s officers and men, stakeholders, sister agencies, military and paramilitary forces, the media, traditional and community leaders for their invaluable contributions.