Kano/Jigawa Customs revenue rises 7.4% to N63.08bn

…command seizes N1.71bn contraband

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Area Command generated N63.08 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026, recording a 7.4 per cent increase over the corresponding period of last year despite lower cargo volumes, as intensified enforcement operations also led to the seizure of prohibited goods valued at N1.71 billion.

UU Adamu, Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, said the command collected N63.08 billion between January and June, compared with N58.39 billion generated during the same period in 2025, representing an increase of N4.69 billion.

Speaking at a media briefing in Kano on Tuesday, Adamu attributed the improved revenue performance to reforms introduced by the command, including tighter monitoring of transit cargo, streamlined revenue collection processes, enhanced cargo clearance procedures and stronger compliance measures.

According to him, the Kano Free Trade Zone contributed more than N26 billion during the six-month period, exceeding the zone’s total revenue for the whole of 2025 by about N4 billion. He added that the command also recovered approximately N3 billion through the detection of abuses in transit procedures.
Adamu said the command had deployed an end-to-end transit dispatch system, introduced a real-time revenue monitoring dashboard and strengthened intelligence gathering and stakeholder engagement to improve operational efficiency and block revenue leakages.

Alongside the improved revenue performance, the command intensified anti-smuggling operations, recording seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.71 billion during the review period.
He said intelligence-driven operations resulted in the interception of unregistered pharmaceuticals, including tramadol and pregabalin, four air pistols imported in contravention of the Firearms Act, elephant tusks, more than 2,000 pieces of 25-litre kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil, military gear and accoutrements, smuggled vehicles and truck heads, an RX drone camera imported without an End User Certificate, foreign spaghetti and macaroni, imported parboiled rice and counterfeit agrochemical packaging materials.

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The command also intercepted 14 transit containers linked to the diversion and abuse of customs transit procedures, contrary to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Adamu disclosed that 22 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, adding that while some had been handed over to relevant security and regulatory agencies for further investigation, others were on administrative bail.

He also revealed that the command intercepted undeclared foreign currencies and other negotiable instruments at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The seizures comprised 568,100 US dollars, 134,256 Saudi Riyals, 28 Chinese Yuan, 20 Ghana Cedis and 35 kilograms of silver bars valued at N175 million, which were allegedly transported without declaration in violation of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to Adamu, the airport interceptions demonstrate the command’s commitment to tackling illicit financial flows and strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.
He credited the command’s performance to the commitment of its officers, collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies and reforms championed by Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs.

Adamu urged importers, exporters and other stakeholders to comply with government fiscal and trade policies, assuring that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations and stakeholder collaboration to facilitate legitimate trade, suppress smuggling and improve revenue generation in the second half of the year.