Nigeria Customs Kano/Jigawa: N88.9bn Revenue, N2.16bn Seizures Combat Smuggling

• The Nigeria Customs Kano/Jigawa Area Command generated N88.93 billion in revenue from January to September 2026.
• During this period, the command seized goods and assets with a combined Duty Paid Value of N2.16 billion.
• Interceptions included unregistered pharmaceuticals, undeclared foreign currency, and a record-setting wildlife seizure of 48 animals.
• Authorities collaborated with NAFDAC and EFCC for further action on specific cases of pharmaceutical and foreign currency interdictions.
• The Acting Area Controller stressed that compliance is the most effective way for legitimate traders to conduct business without interruption.

Notably, the August 25 interception of 48 live animals, including primates, wild cats, and albino crocodiles, marked what is believed to be the largest and most diverse single wildlife seizure in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service and potentially the West African Sub-Region.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, recorded a substantial revenue generation of N88.93 billion between January and September 2026. This impressive financial performance was accompanied by robust anti-smuggling operations, which led to the seizure and detention of various goods and assets with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N2.16 billion during the same nine-month period.

Deputy Comptroller UU Adamu, serving as the Acting Area Controller, unveiled these figures during a press briefing held at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano. He highlighted the command's consistent growth in revenue collection, noting that the first half of 2026 alone contributed N63.08 billion to the total. This trajectory culminated in July 2026 marking a historic milestone for the command, as it registered its highest-ever monthly revenue collection, exceeding N14 billion.

The command's operational focus extends beyond mere revenue collection, encompassing a comprehensive strategy to combat illicit trade. The significant DPV of seizures underscores a proactive stance against smuggling activities across the Kano/Jigawa region. These enforcement actions are critical for safeguarding national economic interests and ensuring compliance with trade regulations.

The anti-smuggling efforts by the Kano/Jigawa Customs anti-smuggling operations resulted in the interception of a wide range of contraband. General merchandise seizures included 1,491 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at N38.74 million, 2,928 packs of foreign macaroni worth N280.73 million, along with foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, and soaps. The command also targeted more sophisticated smuggling attempts, intercepting seven smuggled vehicles with a DPV of N410.54 million and eight suspected diverted transit truck heads valued at N300.91 million. A particularly significant seizure involved five 40-foot diverted transit containers, estimated at N645.16 million.

Beyond general goods, the Nigeria Customs Service enforcement Kano extended to specialized areas. Authorities intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products, comprising 712,690 tablets and 17,470 vials and ampoules, which were subsequently handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation. In a notable EFCC foreign currency interception Kano, undeclared foreign currencies totaling $73,300, £15,975, and Saudi Arabian Riyals worth SAR827,800 were seized, leading to the arrest of two suspects who were then transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate.

Further interdictions included 993.9 meters of vandalized 150-square-millimeter high-voltage aluminum conductors, with two suspects apprehended, and 6,072 counterfeit agro-packaging materials. Disturbingly, some intercepted smuggled vehicles were found bearing government service official number plates, indicating attempts to evade Customs control through deceptive means.

A particularly significant achievement for the command was the August 25 interception of 48 live animals, comprising 15 primates, four wild cats, 25 wild birds, two albino crocodiles, and a honey badger. This event is considered the largest and most diverse single wildlife seizure ever recorded in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service, and potentially across the entire West African Sub-Region. Three suspects linked to this wildlife trafficking attempt were arrested and handed over to the Special Wildlife Office at Customs headquarters for appropriate action.

This broad spectrum of seizures, from general goods and pharmaceuticals to foreign currency and endangered wildlife, highlights the comprehensive nature of the Kano/Jigawa Customs anti-smuggling operations. The Acting Area Controller emphasized the critical importance of Customs compliance Kano/Jigawa trade for all legitimate businesses. He reiterated that while the command is committed to trade facilitation, it will continue to vigorously combine enforcement measures to ensure adherence to customs and fiscal regulations.

For those engaged in lawful commerce, the message from the Customs leadership is unequivocal: strict compliance remains the most effective pathway to conducting business without unnecessary interruptions or legal complications. The command's actions signal a clear intent to maintain a firm stance against all forms of illicit trade and smuggling within its jurisdiction.

This report signals heightened enforcement activity by the Nigeria Customs Service in the Kano/Jigawa region, encompassing a wide range of goods from general merchandise to pharmaceuticals, wildlife, and foreign currency. Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients engaged in trade or logistics in this area to review their compliance protocols rigorously, particularly regarding import/export documentation, regulated goods, and anti-smuggling measures, to mitigate risks of seizures, penalties, and potential collaboration with NAFDAC or EFCC.

Source: Original reporting via Daily Trust