‎Customs Rakes in ₦3.35tn, Busts ₦24.3bn Drug Haul in 5 Months

The Nigeria Customs Service, on Thursday says it generated ₦3.35 trillion in revenue between January and May 2026, while expanding nationwide operations targeting smuggling, money laundering, and wildlife trafficking alongside efforts to ease trade.

Speaking through Chief Superintendent of Customs Titus Omojali at a joint security briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, , said Custom recorded strong performance figures in five months.

He said that the Service handled 698,817 Single Goods Declarations and issued 112,202 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports.

Maiwada said the numbers reflect NCS’s commitment to efficient cargo clearance and trade facilitation.

The report stated: “The Nigeria Customs Service continues to record significant progress in its core mandates of trade facilitation, revenue generation, border security and protection of national economic interests.”

‎Maiwada noted that the activity generated ₦3.35 trillion in revenue, reinforcing the Service’s contribution to security and the economy.

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He further revealed that the Service facilitated exports valued at $1.218 billion, processing 21,376 containers during the review period.

Between January and May 2026, the Service processed a total of 698,817 Single Goods Declarations and issued 112,202 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports, reinforcing its commitment to efficient cargo clearance, enhanced border management and seamless trade facilitation. These efforts contributed to the generation of ₦3.35 trillion in revenue, underscoring the Service’s critical role in supporting national security and economic growth, ” he said.

‎According to him, export performance, which declined to $171.76 million in March, rebounded to $274.83 million in April before reaching $275.90 million in May.

‎He also noted that container throughput more than doubled from 2,847 containers in March to 6,144 containers in April, an indication of growing export activities.

‎On anti-smuggling operations, the Service said it recorded 122 illicit drug seizures, intercepting 375,457 units of narcotics and other illicit substances with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦24.33 billion.

‎“Narcotics accounted for over 91 per cent of the total quantity seized and nearly 95 per cent of the total Duty Paid Value, highlighting the Service’s sustained efforts to prevent the circulation of dangerous substances and protect communities from the harmful effects of drug trafficking,” he said.

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‎He added that March witnessed the highest volume of drug interceptions following major enforcement operations that led to the seizure of more than 248,500 units of narcotics.

‎On anti-money laundering efforts, the Customs Service disclosed that it recorded **six major currency declaration violation cases, leading to the interception of about $789,550 in undeclared and falsely declared foreign currencies.

“The offences ranged from concealment of cash in baggage to under-declaration and non-declaration of foreign currencies, including the discovery of multiple ATM cards intended for illicit financial transactions,” the report stated.

He said the operations demonstrated the Service’s expanding role in combating illicit financial flows, strengthening financial integrity and safeguarding national security.

‎The Service also reported significant achievements in wildlife protection, recording 17 endangered wildlife trafficking cases involving 104 live animals and 21 wildlife species and products.

‎According to him, the cases involved import, export and internal trafficking routes, with six export-related interceptions recorded during the period.

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“Pangolins emerged as the most frequently trafficked wildlife species, while African Crowned Cranes recorded the highest individual quantity intercepted,” the report said.

‎He added that Customs officers also seized wildlife products, including worked ivory, buffalo horns and hyena skins, in line with efforts to combat transnational wildlife crime and protect endangered species.

‎According to Punch, he attributed the service achievements to intelligence-led operations, deployment of advanced technology, effective risk management systems and strong collaboration with other security agencies.

‎“Through the strategic deployment of intelligence-led operations, advanced technology, risk management systems, and robust inter-agency collaboration, the Service continues to suppress the movement of illicit goods, disrupt transnational criminal networks, combat money laundering and terrorism financing, protect endangered wildlife, and secure the nation’s borders against emerging threats,” the report stated.