The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, recorded a total of 20 seizures of diverted transit containers between Q2 and Q4 of 2025, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦769,533,666.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano, describing the development as a strong validation of the Service’s enforcement strategy and the vigilance of its officers at critical interception points.
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According to him, the seizures involved containers unlawfully diverted from approved destinations to private warehouses and other unauthorised locations within the command.
“This represents a significant vindication of our enforcement capabilities and the vigilance of our personnel at critical interception points,”
The Comptroller-General explained that seven containers diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone, carrying 140 pallets of ceramic glazed vitrified tiles, were intercepted along the Hadejia Road corridor, with a combined DPV of ₦228,578,228.
He further noted that two containers loaded with 1,188 twenty-litre drums of diesel engine oil, destined for the Kano Free Trade Zone, were intercepted on 15 July 2025 at private warehouses in the Dakata Industrial Area.
“The seizures had a DPV of ₦87,557,746”
Other items seized included two containers conveying polyester materials, intercepted at private warehouses in Dakata, with a combined DPV of ₦77,989,910.
Similarly, one container carrying 308 bales of used clothing was intercepted on 20 August 2025 along the Yankaba–Hadejia Road axis near the Gano Bonded Terminal, with a DPV of over ₦48 million.
Adeniyi also revealed that four containers bearing MSMU were intercepted en route to the Dabo and MH Gano Bonded Terminals.
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“The containers carried 1,283 bales of printed fabrics and tea bags with a combined DPV of ₦226,153,491. The interceptions occurred on 27 and 31 August 2025 along the Hotoro–Maiduguri and Zaria–Kano Road corridors respectively”
He added that other seizures included containers of bottled water, medical consumables, and lace fabrics saying that,the containers carrying medical consumables were forfeited to the Federal Government following a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Kano Judicial Division, on 10 December 2025
He pointed out that a container intercepted on 27 November 2025 at Kwari Mar, Kano carrying 724 bales of printed fabrics with a DPV of ₦75,008,284, remains under detention pending the conclusion of legal processes.
The Customs Service also confirmed the arrest and prosecution of a suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, who was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Kano Judicial Division, for container diversion.
“Upon conviction, Justice S. M. Shuaibu sentenced the offender to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine”
The Comptroller-General reiterated the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling, enforcing trade regulations, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.