Tag: Customs

 

Lagos:  ,The Nigeria Customs Service says the migration from Fast Track to Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme represents a new direction for trade facilitation in Nigeria and significant milestone in its modernisation.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this known at a Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum on the Migration from the Fast Track Scheme to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme in Lagos on Wednesday.

(A group picture of the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and comptrollers unveiling the Authorised Economy Operations guidelines in Lagos on Wednesday.)

(From L-R the Comptroller Federal Operation Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Muhammed Shau’aib, Assistant Comptroller-General Zanna Chiroma, and the Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller General, Charles Orbih, at a Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum on the Migration from the Fast Track Scheme to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme in Lagos on Wednesday.)

The theme of the programme is “From Fast Track to AEO: Enhancing Trade Facilitation and Supply Chain Security in Nigeria”.

NAN reports that the AEO programme was first piloted in Nigeria on April 15, 2024, following thorough testing, capacity building, and stakeholder consultations, while the national launch was held on Feb. 14.

The AEO objective is to identify and reward businesses that demonstrate consistent compliance with Customs and tax regulations by granting them faster, more predictable, and more efficient clearance processes.

Adeniyi, represented by Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Charles Orbih, also the Zonal Coordinator Zone’A’, said the migration was developed in line with the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework of Standards.

According to him, this is particularly its second pillar, Customs-to-Business partnerships, the AEO Programme promotes a modern system of risk management, facilitation, and compliance.

The comptroller-general said the new programme was a symbol of progress, a shift from gatekeeping to partnership, from delay to facilitation, from control to compliance.

He noted that the event’s theme was both timely and strategic because it captured the direction of its reforms at the service.

Adeniyi explained that the reform was aimed to support legitimate trade, enhance economic competitiveness, and strengthen national security through smarter, more collaborative approaches.

He said: “For over a decade, the Fast Track Scheme provided early benefits for compliant importers. However, it had limitations, mainly the absence of a legal framework the changing dynamics of the supply chain.

“It became clear that we needed to migrate to a model that is structured, risk-based, transparent, and globally recognised. That is what led to the design and implementation of the AEO Programme.

“Understanding the AEO programme is not just a new policy, it is a paradigm shift in the way Customs interacts with the private sector,” he said.

Adeniyi disclosed that a recent Time Release Study (TRS) conducted by the Service showed that the average clearance time for AEO traders was now 43 hours.

He noted that this was a significant reduction compared to non-AEO traders, which means less cost, faster delivery, and better control over their supply chains.

This reform not only supports trade facilitation but helps Nigeria meet its obligations under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, making our trade ecosystem more competitive and business-friendly.

Adeniyi said to meet the criteria, businesses must meet strict eligibility criteria, maintain accurate records, follow Customs laws, pay the right duties, and cooperate during validations and audits.

He urged all qualified operators, importers, exporters, manufacturers, logistics providers, to come forward, get validated, and enjoy the full benefits of AEO status.

Also, Assistant Comptroller-General, Zanna Chiroma, said the forum was not just about information dissemination but about stakeholder inclusion; to listen, respond, and co-create a more efficient and predictable trade environment for all.

Chiroma, represented by Assistant Comptroller- General Tariff and Trade, Kingsley Egwu, said this migration was taking place within the broader framework of NCS reform.
He remind them that the Fast Track Scheme would be formally decommissioned on Dec. 31, 2025 and all existing beneficiaries were required to submit fresh AEO applications through our official portal: aeo.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng.

Chiroma said the Service had established clear operational guidelines, a competent AEO Unit, and a trained team of validators to ensure a smooth and credible transition process.

In an overview of Post Clearance Audit, the Chief Superintendent of Customs (PCA), Godwin Attah, said the objective of PCA was to improve the traders compliance which was a faster movement of trade facilitation.

Attah said that the principles of PCA focused on high risk area as well as involved on professional ethical standards which involved knowing your trade partners as well as engaging staff on continuous trainings and awareness.

He said: “PCA traders are segmented on four categories such as complaints traders, careless traders, temperamental and malicious traders are identify to build confidence between Customs and stakeholders.”

In his presentation on Strategic Overview AEO, the Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Hammajad, Babangida said NCS designed the platform to assist stakeholders integrate them into the system.

Babangida said AEO was internationally recognised and customs and some other business communities had integrated into the platform which required no human interface from the point of sought to discharge of goods.

“Customs has engage in internal readiness from January to July while planing to sensitise stakeholders from August and full implementation of AEO will commence fully in December 2025,”Babangida said.

In her presentation on Fast Track VS AEO, the Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Susan Adarafan, said Fast Track operations was legitimate but not captured in the Customs Act.

Adarafan said AEO had additional benefits of trade facilitation and security from the point of soughting to delivery.

“Before any trader can be integrated into AEO, he or she will most at least importing 100 containers annually for the period of two years.

“Fast Track is usually renewed yearly while AEO complained category will be reviewed after three years and the security category of AEO will be renewed in after five years to facilitate trade.

“Fast trade scheme is a domicile locally while AEO is globally recognise,” she said.

Also, the Director-General of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Segun Ajayi, who was represented by Mr Ope Sunday, commended the present leadership of customs for their critical and constant stakeholder engagement in facilitating trade in Nigeria.

Ajayi, while admitting the limitation experienced through the use of Fast Track cargo clearance procedures, added that customs could also make AEO more friendly to accommodate all their members.

He also appealed to customs to intervene on the Marine Police interference being experienced during the use of Fast Track, which he said delayed their time of doing business.

 

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled its service Reputation Management Guide.

The handbook was unveiled by the NCS’s Comptroller-General (C-G) , Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday at the service’s headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the C-G said the objective of the handbook was to ensure customs officers have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

(Management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) holding the Reputation Management Guide, during the launching of the handbook by the NCS’s Comptroller-General (C-G) , Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday at the service’s headquarters in Abuja.)

Adeniyi explained that the handbook would provide a practical guide to help officers understand how to conduct themselves professionally and uphold the highest ethical standards.

“It is an opportunity for every Customs officer to be a part of the project to rewrite the history of the Customs.

“We want to launch a new phase of Customs. We want to go beyond our traditional mandate,” he said.

He said the service had surpassed its targets on revenue generation in past years and was making strides in combating illicit trade.

“In 2023, we recorded a 70 per cent increase. In 2024, we recorded a 92 per cent increase in our revenue.

“We are making spectacular seizures on making Nigeria safer, but most importantly, we are also taking very seriously our responsibility in the trade facilitation ecosystem.

“Nothing gladdens me more than the fact that the whole world is taking note of the advances that we are making, the impact that the trade facilitation initiatives are making in the system,” he said.

According to him, NCS personnel must reposition themselves to be seen as a government agency that is trusted, respected, and responsive.

He said that the World Customs Organisation (WCO) required customs organisations to put in place measures to ensure transparency, integrity, efficiency and inclusivity in its operations.

“WCO advocates that we must put in place all those developmental models.

“Some of them include giving women the opportunity to be part of an organisation and to take leadership positions, and that is what we have been doing.

“Very recently, we launched the Corporate Social Responsibility programme to show Nigerians that we are indeed alive to our responsibilities, especially in the areas where we perform our operations.

“We therefore decided to identify critical areas of President Bola Tinubu’s social investment agenda.

“We identified some key pillars, education, health, creative economy, access to water, and  made investments in these areas to show our responsibility that we do care,” he said.

Adeniyi stated that the unveiling of the reputation guide was aimed at helping NCS officers understand their responsibility to maintain a good reputation.

He added that the guide was designed to ensure that the NCS built a strong reputation and served as a practical manual on the expectations required of them.

Adeniyi thanked President Tinubu for extending his tenure, describing it as a motivation and inspiration to do more.

On his part, Isah Umar, Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of the headquarters, described the unveiling of the guide as timely and aligned with the WCO’s core theme of integrity.

Represented by the Comptroller, Special Duties, H.H. Hadison, he noted that  the guide illustrated the unwavering dedication of the C-G to promote professionalism, transparency, and accountability within the service.

Earlier, Dr Ike Neliaku, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), commended the NCS for institutionalising reputation management within the agency.

Represented by his Vice, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, he expressed confidence that the handbook would better equip Customs personnel to represent the service with a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism (NAN)

 

Lagos:  Maritime lawyers have called on the Federal Government to domesticate the Rotterdam Rules to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian importers in global trade.

They made the appeal on Thursday during the 2025 One-Day Maritime Law Seminar, organised by the Nigeria Maritime Law Association (NMLA) in Lagos.

(Caption: Maritime Lawyers, Dr Emeka Akabogu, Ms Chisa Uba, Mr Hassan Bello , former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC and Mr Temitope Oyeyemi, the monitor during the panel discussion on 2025 a day seminar of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association held in Lagos on Thursday.)

The theme of the seminar is, “Lens into the Future of the Shipping Industry: National and International Perspectives”.

Mrs Mfon Usoro, President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), said that Nigeria need to adopt the Rotterdam Rules in its international shipping activities.

According to her, this will put Nigerian importers on a more advantageous position in international trade.

(Caption  : From L-R- Maritime Lawyers, Mr Temitope Oyeyemi,Dr Emeka Akabogu Mrs Mfon Usoro, President Nigeria Maritime Law Association, Mrs Funke Agbor, , Ms Chisa Uba and Mr Hassan Bello , former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC and the monitor during the panel discussion on 2025 a day seminar of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association held in Lagos on Thursday.)

“The Rotterdam Rules is an international treaty that aims to overhaul the legal framework governing maritime transport and the carriage of goods by sea.

 

“It addresses the legal relationship between carriers and cargo owners, offering a modernised approach to shipping practices.

 

“Several countries, including Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Togo, have already ratified the Rotterdam Rules. However, Nigeria has yet to do so, with some nations hesitating to ratify the convention due to concerns that the rules may favor carriers over cargo owners,”Usoro said.

 

Usoro, a maritime lawyer, acknowledged that while ratifying the Rotterdam Rules, it would provide significant benefits, saying, “it is important positioning for Nigeria to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach.

The former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said that this was due to the country’s current shipping infrastructure and investment climate. which he noted had not been encouraging.

She said: “A careful evaluation is crucial to determine whether ratification would serve Nigeria’s interests.

 

“The Comité Maritime International (CMI) recognises that political and strategic national interests must be considered when deciding whether to ratify international conventions on the carriage of goods.”

 

“We must ensure not only the political will but also the resources needed to follow through with the Rotterdam Rules, and wait for the majority of large shipping nations to ratify before taking the final step.” Usoro said.

She further suggested that, in the interim, Nigeria could selectively adopt certain provisions from the Rotterdam Rules to update its Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.

 

Usoro explained that this could be done alongside efforts to rectify the current conflict of having two existing laws on the carriage of goods.

 

Interacting with CMI’s Standing Committee,The CMI, which has set up a standing committee to advocate for the ratification of the Rotterdam Rules, could be an essential ally in promoting Nigeria’s interests,

 

She urged the NMLA to engage with this committee and negotiate provisions that might not align with Nigeria’s maritime goals.

 

Usoro also stressed the importance of the Cabotage Act, which was designed to promote domestic shipping capacity and workforce development, adding that the Act could serve as a crucial stepping stone for Nigerian-owned shipping companies aiming to expand into international trade.

 

“If the regulatory and operational aspects of cabotage are properly enforced, Nigeria can build a robust maritime industry and eventually become a key player in global sea-borne trade,” she said.

 

Mr Hassan Bello, also maritime lawyer, who spoke on he topic : “Revival of the Rotterdam Rules”, during the panel discussion called for careful consideration in adopting the Rotterdam Rules.

 

Bello, former, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), advocated the need for Africans to come together to establish a unified law which would enable African countries trade within themselves.

 

He said that if Africa countries collaborate to establish a unified law that it would also attract lots of investment because there would be uniformity in their operations.

 

“Europeans are very integrated and their laws are harmonise why African are still in disparative difference which work against our interest and investment.

 

“If African should come together and unified their business laws then there will be influx of investment.” he said

 

Dr Emeka Akabogu, another maritime lawyer, explained that Nigeria’s Carriage of Goods by Sea Act primarily addresses shipping transactions involving cargo movement from one country to another, a process where incidents might occur along the route.

 

He noted that when such incidents arise, questions about liability and compensation often follow.

 

“If cargo is being transported from China to Nigeria, passing through multiple jurisdictions, where exactly should the liability be determined?” Akabogu asked.

 

He explained that, for many years, carriers and ship-owning interests had conveniently structured contracts to limit their liability, often to the disadvantage of cargo owners.

 

Akabogu said this was why the Hague-Visby Rules, signed into law in 2024, sought to establish uniform standards for determining liability and to provide a level of predictability in international trade.

 

Another maritime lawyer, Ms Chisa Uba, noted that the Nigerian government had previously hesitated to ratify the Rotterdam Rules due to infrastructure challenges and concerns about the country’s readiness to implement the provisions effectively.

 

She also pointed out that several major shipping nations were themselves reluctant to ratify the treaty.

 

“Many developed countries, including the United States, were not comfortable with the new liability frameworks introduced in the Rotterdam Rules.

 

“These provisions shifted more responsibility to developed shipping nations, which made them hesitant to adopt the convention,”Uba said.

 

Earlier, in her welcome address, President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs Funke Agbor, highlighted that NMLA is the Nigerian branch of the Comité Maritime International (CMI).

 

The lawyer said that the seminar was organised as part of the association’s ongoing commitment to bring important maritime legal issues to the attention of the industry.

 

“One of the goals of CMI is to promote the ratification and implementation of the Rotterdam Rules.

 

“We felt it was necessary to bring these discussions to the maritime community for broader engagement,”Agbor said.

 

She commended the dedication of NMLA members for their continued efforts to teach, learn, and engage with evolving issues in maritime law and operations.

 

Agbor also emphasised the growing recognition of Nigeria’s maritime sector at the federal level, as demonstrated by the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Lagos:  The Apapa Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has engaged key stakeholders to enhance trade facilitation and optimise cargo movement via rail.

The Public Relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs, Tunde Ayagbalo, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

Ayagbalo said that the event held at the command on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, brought together representatives of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), clearing agents, and freight forwarders, among others.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, noted that the meeting was in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, to improve logistics through multimodal transport systems.

“Recall that rail has been in operation for quite a while, so we want to fine-tune the process to improve our trade objectives.

“When we have a seamless trade process, it will benefit our stakeholders who are here today.”

He also lauded the commitment of the partners present at the meeting, describing their participation as a “confidence booster” that reinforces the shared goal of efficient cargo movement.

Representing the NRC, the Head of Operations, Akin Oshinowo, reiterated the agency’s longstanding cooperation with the Service.

““We have always found a willing partner in the Comptroller and his men, which forms part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) established years ago.”

“The discussion we had today aligns with the NRC’s objectives and supports the renewed hope agenda for rail transportation in Nigeria,” he said.

Stakeholders commended the initiative, noting its potential to reduce the cost of imports and improve the overall efficiency of cargo distribution.

The National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition, Dr Osita Chukwu, also commended customs for the initiative.

“With what the government is doing, we hope it will not be limited to just one region but extended across the entire country,”he said.

Ayagbola said that the engagement featured an interactive session during which participants discussed the challenges facing cargo rail transport and proposed actionable solutions for improvement.

 

 

Lagos:  The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sought collaboration from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to protect the maritime domain.

The Controller of the command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, made this disclosure when his team visited the office of the Immigration officer in charge of the Lagos Seaport/Marine Command in Lagos on Wednesday.

(Picture of the customs area controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi and his team, the Controller Immigration Lagos Sea ports and Marine, Clementina Ogbudu and officers during a courtesy visit by wester Marine to the command in Apapa, Lagos)

Ntadi explained that the purpose of his visit was to create synergy on how to share intelligence to enable them achieve success in their core mandate of promoting legitimate trade and combating smuggling.

The Comptroller acknowledged that the relationship between Customs and Immigration Services goes beyond government operations.

Ntadi reiterated the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi’s core mandate of collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.

“Intelligence sharing will assist both agencies to achieve more success because if an officer is on land, he can easily shout and run, while it will be difficult for an officer to call for help at sea in the middle of the night.

(From second left, the Director, Department of Security Service, Mr Babaide Adisa, the Customs Area Controller, Western Marine command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi and others in during a courtesy visit to DSS office in Lagos on Wednesday.)

“Such an officer can be relieved if there is synergy with other sister agencies such as Immigration, who will assist him in that situation.

“I purposely called for proper collaboration to enable Customs achieve more in combating smuggling activities at sea,” he said.

Ntadi said that training would go a long way in changing the attitude of junior officers toward adopting a collaborative strategy during operations.

Immigration, Shamsudeen Mustapha, appreciated Customs for strengthening collaboration between them.

Mustapha, also the Head of Human Resources Management of Lagos Seaport and Marine, said that the collaboration would have a positive impact on their operations as they looked forward to being sensitised by the Comptroller of Customs.

Ntadi also had a closed-door meeting with a Director, Department of State Services, Mr Babajide Adisa, said their visit was to collaborate for more robust synergy to protect the security of the country.

 

Ikeja:  The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted 46 contraband goods worth N1.5 billion in two weeks of operations.

Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu revealed this at a media briefing on the unit’s recent activities, held in Ikeja on Tuesday.

(From second left, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Abdul Mayaki, while receiving the intercepted cannabis sativa from the Comptroller, Federal Operation Unit Zone ‘A’, Mohammed Shuaibu, in Lagos on Tuesday)

He said the seizures followed the successes recorded just three weeks after he resumed leadership of the unit on April 23.

 

Within the two-week period, the unit recovered N48.34 million through demand notices issued for improperly declared consignments.

 

The comptroller stated that the unit would continue to harness all revenue components to recover losses from evaders.

(the Comptroller, Federal Operation Unit Zone ‘A’, Mohammed Shuaibu, showcasing the intercepted parboiled rice in Lagos on Tuesday.)

He said sustainable programmes would be developed to grow the economy, boost government revenue, and promote legitimate trade.

 

Shuaibu said the operatives’ resilience had inflicted heavy losses on saboteurs attempting to cripple the country’s economy through smuggling.

 

He added that border patrol teams across the South-West states had stepped up surveillance against unscrupulous individuals.

 

This resulted in the seizure of rice, cannabis, used vehicles, and other goods at Imeko, Ilaro, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, and others.

 

“On May 23 and 24, at 03:00hrs and 02:30hrs, patrol teams intercepted two 40-foot containers in the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis.

 

“The containers, MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090, contained seven Mitsubishi Canters, Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttles, all dismantled to evade duties.

 

“Other seized goods included used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax, 23 bales of clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, and 30 flat-screen televisions,” he said.

 

Also recovered were 65 tabletop cookers and 31 used split air conditioning units, among other items.

 

“On May 19 at 03:00hrs, a patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck containing 1,263 used tyres. One suspect was arrested.

 

“Later that day at 23:00hrs, officers stopped a truck along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway conveying uncustomed goods, including bulletproof vests.

 

“On May 26, at 06:00hrs, a Mercedes Benz truck was intercepted in Ijebu-Ode. It appeared empty at first.

 

“However, officers discovered Cannabis Sativa hidden in the truck’s compartments. One suspect was arrested,” Shuaibu stated.

 

He confirmed 46 interceptions during the operations. These included 2,051 bags of 50kg foreign rice, equivalent to three trailer loads.

 

Other items were 11 tokunbo vehicles, 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa, and 4,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS).

 

Also seized was a J5 bus loaded with expired goods and a Volvo truck carrying 180 sacks of new towels.

 

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, which had a duty-paid value of N1.28 billion.

 

The total duty-paid value of the goods, including rice, PMS, vehicles, and drugs, amounted to N1.5 billion.

 

Shuaibu said the unit would remain vigilant as smugglers become more desperate and inventive in their tactics.

 

Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics, NDLEA, Mr Abdul Mayaki, received the cannabis seized by Customs.

 

Mayaki said the NDLEA would intensify efforts to keep illicit substances out of border areas.

 

He noted an MoU was signed with India to halt codeine production for Nigerian importers, forcing them to seek other routes.

 

“With ongoing synergy, we are closing the gap and will checkmate their activities,” Mayaki assured

 

Lagos:     The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over intercepted cartridges and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSAW).

(The Zonal Coordinator, South West of NCCSALW, Superintendent of Police (SP)rtd., Mustapha Alamutu,the Customs Area Controller, Port and Terminal Multi-services Ltd. (PTML) Command, Tenny Daniyan, hand over t cartridges to NCCSALW in Lagos on Tuesday and the Assistant Comptroller, Muhammed Muktar)

The Customs Area Controller, Port and Terminal Multi-services Ltd. (PTML) Command, Tenny Daniyan, handed over the cartridges to NCCSALW in Lagos on Tuesday.

He explained that Customs was saddled with the mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, suppression of smuggling and safeguarding of the nation’s borders.

(The Zonal Coordinator, South West of NCCSALW, Superintendent of Police (SP)rtd., Mustapha Alamutu, recieving handing over letter from the Customs Area Controller, Port and Terminal Multi-services Ltd. (PTML) Command, Tenny Daniyan, Assistant Comptroller, Muhammed Muktar took place at the command in Lagos on Tuesday)

He said that continuous interception of illegal arms was the service frontline role of maintaining national security, adding that their efforts aimed toward ridden the nation of illegal arms and strengthening public safety.

 

“The command while conducting Examination on one used Toyota Tundra and one used Hyundai Sonata extracted 75 rounds of 12GA live cartridges and one empty 9MM magazine along with four rounds of live ammunition, respectively,” Daniyan said.

(A cross-section of the Zonal Coordinator, South West of NCCSALW, Superintendent of Police (SP)rtd., Mustapha Alamutu,the Customs Area Controller, Port and Terminal Multi-services Ltd. (PTML) Command, Tenny Daniyan, and other officers from both agencies during hand over cartridges to NCCSALW in Lagos on Tuesday)

He said that the command would continue to promote legitimate trade while ensuring that National Security is not compromised.

 

The PTML customs boss attributed the seizures to the extraordinary vigilance of the officers in the command which was discovered as a result of 100 per cent examination.

“Before we discovered the cartridges, our officers had to turn the vehicles around, some cartridges are recovered in the tank meter of the vehicles and some are recovere inside the seat form.

 

“We discovered the cartridges inside vehicles that was imported to the command over six months ago. We have been investigating the source of the shipment which shows that the vehicles were bought online from overseas.

 

“The owners was able to know during examination. Some of the countries where the vehicle came from are using weapon legally.

 

“We discovered that the importation of the vehicles was not to bring arms and ammunition because of the quantity but as the case may be, ammunition are not allowed into the country,”Daniyan said.

 

He reiterated the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, core mandate of zero tolerance to smuggling including arms and ammunitions.

 

Daniyan said that the command had been investigating the interception since over six months that they just got directive from customs management to hand it over to NCCSALW.

 

He urged stakeholders to examined their consignment properly before getting to port of destinations

 

 

Daniyan, while handing over the cartridges and ammunitions to NCCSALW, said he witnessed second handing over of illicit weapons.

 

According to him, the Comptroller General recently handover some containers of ammunition to NCCSALW in Lagos.

 

He promised to redoubled their efforts in ensuring they stopped illicit arms coming into the country.

 

The Zonal Coordinator, South West of NCCSALW, Superintendent of Police (SP)rtd., Mustapha Alamutu, commended the Customs for handing over the illicit arms to NCCSALW, saying that one of illicit arm was enough to course damage to the country.

 

He said that NCCSALW was saddled with the responsibility of retrieving all illicit arms from all security agencies a Ross the country.

 

Alamutu said that the handing over was symbolic for breaking through and subsequent handing over of the illicit arms.

 

“The National Centre for the control of small arms and light weapons is saddled with the collection, storage, destruction, management and stockpiling of obsoletes, seized, and illegally held small and light weapons.

 

“NCCSALW is the only agency saddle with the responsibility to retrieve all recovered Illicit arms from all security agencies cross the country.

 

“Nigeria should be conscious of illicit arms. The handing over which is collective effort of the two agencies and we prayed the synergy continues,” Alamutu said.

 

Lagos, May 29, 2025 ,APM Terminals Apapa has addressed the growing concerns over empty container congestion, clarifying that shipping lines are primarily responsible for the evacuation and shipment of these containers, as they own and control them.

The Manager of APM Terminals, Mr Steen Knudsen, made this disclosure in a statement signed on Thursday and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Knudsen said that the statement was issued to set the record straight on the root causes of the situation and to assure stakeholders of its continued professionalism and service efficiency.

He said that the terminal promised to have close collaboration with relevant parties to resolve the issue promptly.

Knudsen explained that insinuations suggested that APM Terminals Apapa was not receiving empty containers, allegedly contributing to yard congestion.

He clarified that the management of empty container evacuation into the terminal and subsequent shipment onto vessels was the responsibility of the shipping lines, which own and control all containers.

Knudsen further explained that the sharp and sustained surge in importation of cargo volumes over recent weeks made shipping lines prioritise the discharge of incoming laden containers over evacuating empties.

He said the operational shift had resulted in a growing inventory of empty containers within the terminal, significantly limiting yard space.

“As a result of this accumulation, APM Terminals Apapa has had to temporarily restrict the reception of additional empty containers until the existing stock is cleared by the shipping lines.

“We recognise the impact this may have on truck operators, consignees, and landside logistics, and we are actively engaging the shipping lines and relevant government authorities to expedite vessel evacuation of empty containers,” Knudsen said.

The manager emphasised that the development was not due to a failure in terminal operations, but rather a systemic issue stemming from the imbalance in container traffic.

According to him, shipping lines play a key role in ensuring containers are loaded out as empties once they are returned.

“Unfortunately, the high volume of imports is tipping that balance.

“We are committed to doing everything within our operational capacity to support the clearing of this backlog.

“APM Terminals Apapa is appealing to landside customers, truck operators, and other stakeholders to kindly bear with us regarding the temporary restrictions and delays in receiving empties, while assuring you that every effort is being made to normalise the situation.

“APM Terminals Apapa remains steadfast in its commitment to professionalism, efficient service delivery, and partnership with stakeholders in ensuring that the Nigerian supply chain keeps moving,” Knudsen said.