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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has seized 20 transit containers that were illegally diverted, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N769.53m, at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Customs House in Kano.
He said the seizures were made between the second and fourth quarters of 2025 as part of tougher enforcement against cargo diversion.
“These seizures are the result of intensified actions against the abuse of transit procedures,” Adeniyi said.
He explained that the containers were meant for inland terminals and Free Trade Zones but were unlawfully diverted, contrary to Section 64(b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
According to him, such practices hurt the economy and pose security risks. “Cargo diversion leads to revenue losses and undermines fair trade,” he said.
Adeniyi listed the seized items to include: Seven containers of vitrified tiles valued at N228.58m, two containers of diesel engine oil worth N87.56m and two containers of polyester materials with a DPV of N77.99m.
The rest are one container of used clothing valued at N48.42m, four containers of printed and lace fabrics worth N226.15m.
Other seizures included one container of prohibited Zamzam bottled water valued at N21.46m, and three containers carrying medical consumables and lace fabrics worth N25.2m.
The Customs boss said two containers carrying medical items were forfeited to the Federal Government after a Federal High Court judgment delivered on December 10, 2025.
“One container of printed fabrics valued at N75m is still under detention pending the completion of legal processes,” he added.
Adeniyi also revealed that a suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, was convicted for container diversion.
“He was sentenced to three years in prison with an option of a N3m fine,” he said.
He noted that the Service is rolling out electronic tracking devices across the country to monitor container movement.
Adeniyi warned that offenders, including any officials found to be involved, would face prosecution, forfeiture of goods and strict sanctions.
He urged importers and freight forwarders to follow Customs transit rules, stressing that while the NCS supports legitimate trade, it has “zero tolerance for smuggling and cargo diversion.”
Customs intercepts diverted containers worth N769.53m in Kano
