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Tag: Customs

  • Retirement: Reps summon Customs boss

    Retirement: Reps summon Customs boss

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, to appear before it on Feb. 18.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Head, Media/Public Petitions Committee, House of Representatives, Chooks Oko, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Oko said that the Customs comptroller-general was summoned to answer to a petition before it over the refusal of some top officials of the service to leave the service after their due retirement dates.

    “Obasi-Pherson Help Foundation had petitioned the 10th House, alleging that some assistant comptrollers and comptrollers were due for retirement but have blatantly refused to leave the service.

    “They named the affected officers as Imam, Umar and Egwu, all assistant comptrollers and Awe, Fatia and Faith, comptrollers as the culprits,” he said.

    Issuing the summons, the house said that Adeniyi had a duty as a public officer to explain to Nigerians the true situation.

    “Nigerians deserve to know the truth of the matter and it is only the CG that can clarify the situation,” he said.

    Oko quoted the Chairman of the Committee on Public Petitions, Mike Etaba, as saying that they were elected to serve the people and ensure that all government agencies function effectively.

    “In this era when most of our youths are looking for job, it will be wrong for the older ones who are due for retirement to refuse to go.

    “That is not to say that we shall take sides, far from it. We treat each case on merit, ensuring that justice is given at all times to the deserving,” he Etaba said.

  • NECA demands reversal of new import levy

    NECA demands reversal of new import levy

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has demanded a reversal of the four per cent charge on the Free on Board (FOB) value of imports by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    NECA’s Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made the call in a statement on Sunday.

    NCS spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, announced on Feb. 5 that the service had begun implementing the four per cent charge.

    Maiwada explained that the directive aligned with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

    Oyerinde, however, described the levy as ill-timed and harmful to businesses and Nigerians, especially amid prevailing economic challenges.

    “The Nigerian business environment already struggles with multiple taxes, unpredictable policies, and economic challenges.

    “With rising unsold inventories and growing unemployment, policies should support businesses, not further suffocate them.

    “This additional financial burden on import-dependent businesses will escalate production costs, fuel inflation, and threaten jobs.

    “Ultimately, consumers will face higher prices, worsening an already difficult economic climate,” he said.

    Oyerinde urged the government to consult stakeholders and develop a more sustainable, business-friendly approach to revenue generation.

    “Government must urgently ease the financial burden on businesses and citizens, rather than implementing policies that deepen economic hardship and stifle growth,” he said.

  • A trillion-dollar Customs? It’s possible! – By Pius Mordi

    A trillion-dollar Customs? It’s possible! – By Pius Mordi

    With a history that dates back to 1891 when the British Colonial administration appointed T.A. Wall as the first Director-General of Customs for the collection of inland revenue in Niger Coast Protectorate, it is perhaps the oldest fedeal agency, older than the country with over 130 years in operation. From inception, the Customs had always been the mainstay of revenue receipts not just to sustain the government but for the execution of projects.

    Its reputation as a money spinner attracted special attention to its management and operations from the government and the private sector which came up with a number of schemes and programmes to enhance the collection of revenue from the Service. On the face of it, nothing could be more desirable than measures designed to increase government revenue since everybody stands to benefit. The most far reaching was the preshipment inspection regime introduced in 1996 whereby some private organisations were contracted to inspect goods destined for Nigeria, certify that they meet quality specifications, determine the applicable import duty and issue a Clean Report of Findings to guide the Customs in the collection of duties. Decree No. 10 of 1996 established the inspection of goods before they are shipped outside of Nigeria.

    Then came destination inspection of imports policy after pre-shipment inspection was jettisoned. Under the policy, all imports were inspected on arrival into Nigeria. This significantly increased clearance times. Between 1996 and 2000, the federal government toyed with the policy of Professional Import Duty Administrators (PIDA).

    The Nigeria Customs Service as it is known today has been the victim of regular intervention and interference as successive governments sought to get private organisations to take over the revenue collection duty with the proclamation that receipts from duties would significantly increase. What is never disclosed is the handsome commission paid to the private organisations.

    More concerning for maritime operators and importers is the effect of the multiple roles carved out for companies. Shippers were often weighed down by the prolonged time for the clearing and delivery of goods. Under the preshipment inspection scheme, queries were often raised by officers of the Customs on the report issued by the agencies. In addition to the time taken to conduct the inspection before the goods, it was a nightmare for the business community for whom the extended time taken to conclude a transaction meant huge losses. Steadily, Nigerian ports attained the unenviable reputation of being the most inefficient in the West and Central African sub-region.

    The destination inspection scheme which involved the inspection of goods only at the point of arrival held the promise of probably being less cumbersome. But it proved to be worse. Having to rely on the report issued by the companies contracted for the exercise complicated a process that to a large extent made imports more expensive than in neighbouring countries through the demurrage that arose from the regular disagreements with the reports of the private organisations.

    As 2024 was winding down, federal officials with Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, led the medly of reports on how the Customs surpassed all expectations in revenue collection by meeting the ambitious target of N5.07 trillion set for it by November. At the end of the year, the figure had hit the N5.1 trillion mark. It will be rather too simple to ascribe the performance to the increase in exchange rate used in determining duties. Agreed that that is one of the factors, but there are more issues involved.

    From the days of the convoluted process for the collection of duties and taxes, the appointment of Adewale Bashir Adeniyi as Comptroller-General of the Customs has ushered a chain of events, changes and innovations that altered the trajectory of 133-year old agency. Surrounded by a team of new generation officers schooled in the application of Information and Communication Technology and how it has made trade facilitation and delivery of goods more efficient as well as changed the conduct of international trade and turn around round of cargo movement, the new leadership made the reduction in the impact of human element in the process less decisive. From the wholesale diversion of imports to ports in neighbouring countries, Adeniyi and his team have effected a paradigm shift in import duty administration making it less attractive to patronise other ports.

    At Apapa Port Command where Babatunde Olomu held sway, N2.014 trillion was realised, a new high. Similarly, Dera Nnadi at Tin Can Island Port as area controller set a new record with over N1.1 collected in 2024. Altogether, over N5.1 trillion was realised, nearly double the N3.21trillion collected in 2023 when the target of N3.67 trillion was set for the Service.

    After decades of efforts through ill-conceived programmes to farm out duty collection to vested interests whose inspiration was to reap from the national till, the story of the Nigeria Customs Service has taken a new and enviable trajectory. With reduced distraction from private organisations representing vested interests, Adeniyi intentionally steered the Customs where gross human elements played crucial roles to a systematic computerisation of the process. It was the product of the the Customs boss’ formative years where he was the anchor person for the Service’s liaison with the World Customs Organization that has been encouraging the adoption of modern and fool-proof platforms for collection of taxes.

    An elated Wale Edun has declared that the federal government’s N48 trillion 2025 budget estimate will rely heavily on the contribution from the Customs.

    The impressive performance of the Service under Adeniyi’s application of ICT has unravelled the still prevalent inclination in other tiers of government to contract the collection of taxes to private organisations. The private revenue collectors at states and local government areas are not equipped or are they special breeds to do things differently or more efficiently. Farming out such functions ultimately benefit private individuals more than government will realise from the venture. If the Customs is shielded from the balkanisation of its operations to feed vested interests, 2024’s attainments may just be the trigger for greater performances. With Nigeria accounting for two thirds of ship and cargo traffic in the West and Central African sub-region, if most of these pass through Nigeria’s ports, it is possible for the Customs to maintain its trillion revenue receipt not just in naira but in dollars in the coming years.

  • MMIA customs surpasses 2024 revenue target

    MMIA customs surpasses 2024 revenue target

    The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced that it exceeded its revenue target for 2024, generating a total of N71.6 billion.

    The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Effiong Harrison, said in a statement on Friday that its target for 2024 was N56.861 billion.

    Harrison expressed delight over the record-breaking revenue achieved by the command. He described the 2024 revenue as unprecedented, noting that it was the highest-ever generated in the history of the command.

    “A detailed breakdown of the revenue underscores the remarkable achievement of the command in revenue generation.

    “During a meeting with his management team, the area controller revealed that the command had exceeded its annual revenue target of N56,861,094,269.07 by generating ₦71,633,687,108.84.

    “This represents a 20 per cent increase, amounting to N14,772,592,839.27,” he said.

    He said that July 2024, in particular, was a standout month, with the command recording its highest-ever monthly revenue of N12 billion.

    While comparing the command’s performance in 2023 and 2024, Comptroller Harrison noted a significant revenue increase of N41.1 billion in 2024  when compared to the N30.5 billion generated in 2023, reflecting a 135 per cent growth.

    “I attribute this exceptional performance to the dedication, commitment, and adherence to high operational standards by the officers and men of the command.

    “I commend the officers and men of the command for their relentless efforts. It was instrumental in achieving this milestone.

    “I want to urge the officers to intensify their efforts to maintain these standards in order to generate more revenue into the government coffers in 2025,” Harrison said.

    The MMIM customs boss expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team for their unwavering support to the command.

    Harrison extended appreciation to critical stakeholders and other government agencies, acknowledging them as invaluable partners in the command’s success in 2024.

    He expressed optimism that the command would achieve even greater milestones in fulfilling its core mandates in 2025.

  • Nigeria Customs dissolves joint border patrol team

    Nigeria Customs dissolves joint border patrol team

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of its Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT). The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Maiwada said that the move was made after due consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). He said that it was also part of its efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 enforcement strategy.

    “NCS has reinvigorated its 2025 Enforcement Strategy. This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.

    According to Maiwada, the move will not compromise border security or trade facilitation, but represent a significant step towards modernising customs operations, improving trade compliance, and strengthening national security.

    He said that the NCS Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, had approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country, aimed at streamlining its operations and to ease the movement of goods and persons.

    The Spokesman quoted the C-G saying that the service would henceforth, rely on solid intelligence to enhance its operations.

    The C-G said, “Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

    “Also, the service is deploying geospatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of NCS enforcement strategies.

    “This development underscores the service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.

    According to the Spokesman, the JBPT formerly known as ‘Ex-Swift Response’ started its operations in 2019, with the initial design to enforce the partial border closure policy.

    The JBPT, coordinated by the ONSA, evolved from Ex-Swift Response to become a tripartite operation comprising Benin Rep., Niger and Nigeria. It was transformed in a renewed effort to combat smuggling, irregular migration and other transitional organised crimes along the nation’s border, among others.

    He said that since its inception, the JBPT has played a pivotal role in curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations.

    He acknowledged the cooperation and dedication of other government agencies, who partnered with them for the implementation of the JBPT’s vision.

    While thanking them, he stated that their invaluable contributions had been instrumental in securing Nigeria’s land borders.

    “While soliciting the support of all stakeholders in the good fight against economic saboteurs, the C-G reassures of his commitment and that of his officers and men to secure the nation’s borders effectively, facilitate legitimate trade, and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians,” he said.

  • Nigeria Customs promotes 1,419 personnel

    Nigeria Customs promotes 1,419 personnel

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) management has approved the promotion of 1,419 junior officers across various ranks.

    The service spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Maiwada said that the move was ratified at the NCS’s 10th management meeting, chaired by the Comptroller General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, in November.

    He said that the comprehensive promotion list includes both general duty and support staff who excelled in the 2024 promotion exercise.

    “Specifically, 346 general duty and 384 support staff officers were elevated from Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC) to Inspector of Customs (IC).

    “Four general duty and 13 support staff officers advanced from Customs Assistant I (CAI) to Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC); 372 general duty and 59 support staff officers moved up from Customs Assistant II (CAII) to Customs Assistant I (CAI).

    “Also, 188 general duty and 54 support staff officers were promoted from Customs Assistant III (CAIII) to Customs Assistant II (CAII),” he said.

    According to Maiwada, the strategic advancement is a demonstration of the transformative leadership of the NCS management team under the stewardship of C-G.

    “By prioritising career growth as a cornerstone of workforce motivation, his (C-G) administration inspires a culture of excellence, empowering employees to achieve their full potential and driving the organisation toward unparalleled service delivery, “he said.

    He said that while the customs boss congratulates the personnel, he also urged them to redouble their efforts in fulfilling the service’s core mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation.

    The spokesman stated that the promotion list for senior officers was currently being processed, pending approval by the NCS board.

  • Customs gets go-ahead to auction 30 unclaimed vehicles

    Customs gets go-ahead to auction 30 unclaimed vehicles

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, okayed an application by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), seeking to sell at least 30 seized and unclaimed vehicles by auction and the proceeds remitted to the Federal Government treasury.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by NCS’s lawyer, Wale Kembi, also granted the plea for an order condemning and forfeiting the vehicles to the security organisation.

    “The application is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge said.

    In the application by the NCS marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1725/2024, dated and filed Nov. 14 by Smart Akande, the applicant sought two orders.

    These include, “an order of this honourable court condemning and forfeiting to the Nigeria Customs Service the vehicles listed in the schedule marked as Exhibit ‘A’, annexed to the affidavit in support of the motion.

    “An order authorising the Nigeria Customs Service to sell the said vehicles by auction, allocation to the members of the public or by any other means that the applicant may deem appropriate and the proceeds realised from such sale be remitted to the Federal Government Treasury.”

    Y.M. Ibrahim, an Inspector of Customs, Government Warehouse, Karu, Abuja, deposed to the affidavit in support of the motion.

    Ibrahim said he was “conversant with facts and circumstances of all the seizure which constitute the intercepted and apprehended vehicles herein particularised and attached hereto this affidavit and marked as Exhibit ‘A’.”

    He said for over one month now, the vehicles mentioned in the internal memo marked as Exhibit ‘A’, attached to the affidavit remained unclaimed after the expiration of time allowed for the clearing at NCS.

    He said the seizures were made on the orders and instructions of the Comptroller General of the NCS, as regards the issue of combating the activities of smugglers in Abuja and its environs whose activities constitute great dangers to the health and viability of the Nigerian economy.

    “That the owners/consignees/importers and /or their agents, servants or privies and their collaborators hereof at all times material to the seizure of the vehicles attempted to smuggle vehicles and goods into Nigeria as a result of which they were accosted but escaped, thereby abandoning the goods and vehicles for fear of being arrested and prosecuted by the Customs Authority.

    “That apart from acts of smuggling and or fraudulent evasion of duty, some of the defaulters brought in outright unlawful, illegal and prohibited items, which are so classified by the Customs Law and Provisions.

    “That from the dates of seizure as stated in the schedule attached and marked as Exhibit ‘A,’ nobody has come forward to claim ownership of any of the vehicles thereby rendering them as abandoned seizures.

    “That the vehicles were intercepted on the roads within the jurisdiction of this honourable court by the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service while the owners ran away and never came to claim for over 30 days.

    “That in order to prevent complete deterioration of the said vehicles and total loss of revenue, the Nigeria Customs Service Board now intends to sell the vehicles by way of auction and allocations in line with Customs laws and provisions.

    “That all efforts to apprehend and prosecute the importers or owners of the vehicles have been in vain.

    “That the continued detention and keeping of the vehicles contained in the schedule marked as Exhibit ‘A’ has not only resulted in congestion of the Government Warehouse, Karu, Abuja but has occasioned the deterioration of some of the vehicles involved.

    “That all the vehicles mentioned in Exhibit ‘A’ are at the Nigeria Customs Service, Government Warehouse, Karu, Abuja.

    “That there is no pending litigation in respect of the goods listed in Exhibit ‘A’ annexed to the Affidavit.

    “That the Nigeria Customs Service Board shall indemnify anybody affected by the Court Order if the order ought not to have been made against the person in the first instance or was obtained fraudulently.

    “That there is need for urgency to seek and obtain the order of this court to enable the applicant properly dispose of the vehicles,” the officer averred.

    It was observed that some of the vehicles include Nissan Altima with chassis number: IN4BL2LE08N433703; Toyota Hilux with chassis number: MROBX3CD2M2834123; Toyota Hilux, with number: MROBXBCO2M2837958; Toyota Hilux, with number: NMROHXBCD5KO932288; and Toyota Landcruiser, JTIWHY7A1504018942.

    Others are a Lexus GX460 LEXUS GX<60 with number: JTJBM7FXID5061132; Toyota Hilux with number: MROHX8CDSL1396196;  Toyota Hiace Ambulance with number: JTFHXO2PXFO1L02639.

    Others are; Toyota Corolla with number: JTDS4RCEILI006008; Toyota RAV4 with number: JTMGIRFV4KD037292, among others.

  • Reps move to probe Customs over alleged smuggling by its personnel

    Reps move to probe Customs over alleged smuggling by its personnel

    The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate alleged smuggling activities by personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    The House took the decision at a plenary session on Wednesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Oluwaseun Whingan.

    Whingan cited an incident involving a journalist in Badagry, Lagos state earlier this month who was assaulted while attempting to make video recording of activities at a location he described as a “smuggling zone.

    Among other things, he called for the investigation of the Nigerian Customs Service’s legal framework and the activities of officers of the agency while carrying out their duties

    The motion has however been referred to the Committee on Customs and Excise.

    Also during plenary, a bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 to provide for compulsory counselling and training for convicts of corruption-related offences scaled second reading in the lower chamber.

    The bill was sponsored by Hon. Akiolu Moshood Kayode, representing Lagos Island.

    The lawmaker who moved the motion raised eyebrows over the behaviour of the Customs officers.

    Among other things, he called for the investigation of the Nigerian Customs Service’s legal framework and the activities of officers of the agency while carrying out their duties

    The motion has however been referred to the Committee on Customs and Excise.

    Also during plenary, a bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 to provide for compulsory counselling and training for convicts of corruption-related offences scaled second reading in the lower chamber.

    The bill was sponsored by Hon. Akiolu Moshood Kayode, representing Lagos Island.

    Leading the debate during plenary on Wednesday, Kayode said the bill seeks to amend Section 67 of the Principal Act by expanding it with additional three provisions which stipulate that magistrates and judges shall not only sentence convicts of corruption-related offences to imprisonment and/or fines but shall also impose on them a mandatory period of counselling and training.

    Speaking on the general principles of the bill, Kayode clarified that the compulsory anti-corruption counselling and training of persons convicted of corruption-related offences are in recognition of the strong connection that exists between mental disposition and the primitive accumulation of wealth.

  • NCS arrests officers in viral assault video

    NCS arrests officers in viral assault video

    Two  Customs officers in Seme Command have been identified and arrested for involvement in the assault of members of the public, captured in a recent video recording that went viral.

    The Controller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, Comptroller Kayode Kolade, made this known on Tuesday, while addressing newsmen in Seme.

    He said that the two officers were arrested based on preliminary investigation into the matter.

    Recall that on Sunday, two residents were seen in a video being brutalised by Nigeria Customs officers at a checkpoint along the Badagry-Seme expressway, after they were caught recording a video.

    The officers suspected them of being informants supplying journalists with information about smuggling activities on the road.

    On Monday, the command said it had started an investigation into the incident.

    The comptroller, giving an update on Tuesday, said the two identified
    officers would be handed over to the Customs Police Unit for further investigation.

    “The behavior of these officers does not reflect the professional practice of the service, especially now that the Service is committed to holding its officers to the highest standard of integrity and professionalism

    “The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi,condemned in strong terms the unethical conduct of these officers.

    ”Adeniyi has directed that the officers be taken to the NCS Headquarters for a full-scale investigation and decisive disciplinary measures,” he said.

    Kolade, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller Istifanus Musa, the Command Officer in charge of Enforcement, requested the complaints to make themselves available to assist in the ongoing investigation.

    “The Service remains committed to ensuring transparency in all its operational mandates.

    “As such, it will not condone any form of misconduct within its ranks and will continue to work for the overall interest of the Nigerian public,” he said.

  • Nigeria customs returns stolen cars worth N8.1bn to Canada

    Nigeria customs returns stolen cars worth N8.1bn to Canada

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos State on Tuesday handed over 21 exotic cars worth over N1.8 billion to the Canadian Government.

    The Comptroller General of Customs(CGC), Wale Adeniyi, made the hand over at the Federal Operation Unit (FOU), in Lagos.

    The CGC also disclosed that the International Police (INTERPOL) had also identified countries in West Africa as hub for exotic vehicles stolen from Canada, America and Europe.

    Among the exotic vehicles that were handed over include Rolls Royce, Labomgini Horicane, Mercedes-AMG and Rang Rover.

    The CGC revealed that members of the syndicate stole vehicles from foreign countries and subsequently ship them into Nigeria, using falsified documents.

    He added the officers were able to recover about 21 exotic cars from the criminal gang, with the aid of the recently established Operations Hot Wheel.

    “Operation Hot Wheel consist of officers from the Nigeria Customs Service,the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Canadian government,” he said.

    Adeniyi also revealed that all the 21 vehicles were recovered with the aid of the Canadian Government as well as the EFCC.

    “According to INTERPOL reports, West Africa has emerged as a notable destination hub in the global stolen vehicle trade network.

    “This extends from Europe and North America to as far as South America and Australia. This challenge is particularly acute in Nigeria,” he said.

    While highlighting data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the CGC said that available data from the bureau showed that between 2013-2015, only 54 per cent of stolen vehicles were recovered.

    He noted that it showed the scale and sophistication of this criminal enterprise.

    “The growing incidence of stolen vehicles finding their way into our region has become a matter of serious concern, as it not only undermines our legitimate automotive market but also strains our security infrastructure.

    “Recent intelligence from international law enforcement agencies further confirms that our region has become a preferred destination for internationally stolen vehicles.

    “This is a trend that not only tarnishes Nigeria’s international image but also impacts our economy through substantial revenue losses and increased security spending,” he said.

    He added that the economic implications of this criminal enterprise were far-reaching and deeply concerning.

    “Beyond damaging our legitimate automotive trade sector and international business relationships, it undermines President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda that aims to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce.

    “The Service is forced to divert substantial resources towards enhanced border management and rigorous verification processes – resources that should ideally be channelled toward trade facilitation initiatives and economic growth programmes.

    “This criminal activity not only strains our operational capacity but also threatens the government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and establish Nigeria as a reliable partner in global trade,” he said.

    He said that the NCS, in response to these challenges, gave rise to the initiation of Operation Hot Wheels.

    “This initiative is aimed at disrupting the flow of stolen vehicles into Nigeria through our ports and borders.

    “This is launched as a collaborative effort between the NCS, EFCC and Canadian authorities, which is focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated surveillance and strategic interdiction.

    “The operation’s primary objectives included identifying and intercepting stolen vehicles, dismantling trafficking networks, and strengthening international cooperation in combating transnational vehicle theft.

    “This multiagency approach was designed to leverage the unique capabilities and jurisdictional advantages of each participating organization” he stated.

    Adeniyi further noted that officers at various commands had successfully intensified surveillance operations through the enhanced intelligence gathering and strategic deployment of resources.

    He said that a recent intelligence-led operation at Area II Command, Onne Port, led to the interception of a 1X40ft container (MRSU-5028706) that was declared to contain used vehicles and auto spare parts.

    According to him, physical examination of the container revealed three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlander vehicles, two in Navy Blue and one in Red color.

    “Through collaboration with Operation Screen West Africa (OSWA) and Interpol, two of these vehicles were confirmed stolen from Canada.

    “Simultaneously, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ demonstrated exceptional vigilance with strategic interdictions at various locations in Lagos.

    “These included one Mercedes-Benz G550 with Range Rover Sport, valued at N506.8 million, were intercepted along Trinity Axis in Lagos. Also one Mercedes-AMG GT with Lamborghini Huracan, valued at N630.8 million,” he said.

    He added that one Rolls Royce was intercepted at Victoria Island, valued at N231.8 million and one Lamborghini 2019 Model recovered at Victoria Island worth N239.1 million.

    “Others are two Range Rovers, 2023 and 2018 Models, intercepted along Lekki and Tincan Island Command valued at N267.1 million.

    “Additional luxury vehicles intercepted through intelligence-led operations, including three Toyota Highlander 2021 Models,” he explained.

    He stated that these recoveries highlighted both the sophistication of transnational vehicle theft syndicates and their evolving concealment methods.

    According to him, criminals now employ various tactics, including false declarations and use of containerized shipments, attempting to circumvent customs detection systems.

    He added that the operation exposed how stolen vehicles were being smuggled through nation’s ports using legitimate cargo as cover.