Nigerian Customs Service Denies Reports Of Smuggling Surge, Revenue Leakage, Manipulation | Sahara Reporters

The report had revealed intensified smuggling activities along the Seme, Idiroko, Ilaro, Ipokia and Igbeti-Kishi corridors, as well as alleged manipulation of the 846 valuation code at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied allegations of increased smuggling, revenue leakage, recruitment impropriety and manipulation of succession within the Service, describing the claims as a misrepresentation of its enforcement activities, digital valuation processes and administrative procedures.

The Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this in a response to a report published by SaharaReporters, which raised concerns over developments within the NCS.

The report had revealed intensified smuggling activities along the Seme, Idiroko, Ilaro, Ipokia and Igbeti-Kishi corridors, as well as alleged manipulation of the 846 valuation code at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.

It also raised questions concerning recruitment into the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, manipulation of succession and promotion within the Service, and the selection and funding of leadership training and international exposure for some officers.

However, Maiwada said the allegation of a surge in smuggling was inconsistent with the Service’s enforcement activities, noting that Customs officers continued to conduct seizures and other enforcement operations along the corridors identified in the report.

“Our responsibility is to reduce smuggling to the barest minimum, not to claim that it can be completely eradicated,” Maiwada said.

He explained that smuggling remained an enforcement challenge that required sustained operations, adding that the existence of seizures should not be interpreted as evidence of an uncontrolled increase in smuggling.

On the manipulation of the 846 valuation code, the NCS said the code was a legitimate digital valuation tool incorporated into its customs portal.

Maiwada explained that the code was specifically designed for vehicles with non-standard or non-compliant Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), including specialised heavy equipment, classic vehicles and customised vehicle models.

“The 846 code is an established digital valuation code within the Customs portal, specifically designated for vehicles with non-standard or non-compliant Vehicle Identification Numbers,” he said.

According to him, standard vehicles are assessed automatically through manufacturer-linked databases, while applications involving the 846 code undergo additional scrutiny and secondary approval by valuation officers and Area Controllers.

He said the additional layer of approval was designed to strengthen the valuation process rather than facilitate manipulation.

Maiwada further explained that discrepancies uncovered during post-clearance audits could result in Demand Notices being issued to recover duties that were short-collected.

He added that operators found to have violated applicable customs regulations could also face sanctions.

The NCS spokesperson maintained that revenue collections at major ports had reached historic levels under the Service’s digital framework, rejecting the allegation that the valuation system had resulted in widespread revenue leakage.

The Service also rejected allegations of impropriety surrounding the recruitment of Assistant Superintendents of Customs II.

According to the NCS, the recruitment exercise was conducted under the authorisation of the Nigeria Customs Service Board and in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and guidelines of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

The Service said successful candidates were issued provisional offers, subject to medical verification, background checks and formal acceptance.

It therefore dismissed suggestions that the recruitment exercise was conducted outside established procedures or without the necessary institutional approvals.

The Service also denied allegations that succession and promotion within its ranks were being manipulated to favour particular officers.

Maiwada said promotions were governed by established regulations and determined by factors including seniority, merit, performance in promotion examinations and the availability of vacancies.

“Succession and promotion within the Service are governed by established rules and career progression structures, not personal preference,” the Service said.

The NCS said its promotion and succession processes were designed to ensure that officers progressed through clearly defined career structures rather than through personal connections or the preferences of individual officials.

Responding to questions concerning leadership training for Deputy Comptrollers and international exposure for officers, Maiwada said such programmes formed part of the Service’s human capital development strategy.

He said the training was aimed at strengthening officers’ capacity in areas including trade operations, intelligence management and executive leadership.

According to him, approved training programmes and international exposure are funded either through budgetary allocations or formal technical assistance arrangements with partner institutions.

The Service therefore rejected any suggestion that such programmes were being arbitrarily awarded or funded outside approved channels.

On calls for an independent investigation into the allegations, the NCS said it remained subject to oversight by relevant government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the National Assembly, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and anti-corruption agencies.

“The management maintains a firm, intolerant posture toward corruption, revenue leakage or administrative misconduct,” the Service stated.

It said any officer or stakeholder found culpable of wrongdoing would face disciplinary measures and prosecution in accordance with the law.

SaharaReporters previously reported that a perfect storm of worsening smuggling activity, massive revenue leakages at major ports and a high-level plot to install a favoured set of junior officers into the top leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service is threatening to plunge the agency into its deepest crisis in decades, multiple authoritative sources revealed.

The developments come just weeks after President Bola Tinubu approved a six-month extension for the current Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, hundreds of smugglers were seen being guarded by some customs officers, giving orders to move at night with different contraband products.

Intelligence familiar with operations at the nation’s borders and ports told SaharaReporters of an agency in freefall, with smuggling activities skyrocketing along land border corridors even as customs revenue at major seaports continues its downward spiral.