The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has exceeded its revenue target for 2024, collecting over N5.9 trillion against the set goal of N5.7 trillion. This was announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during the ongoing CG Conference in Abuja.
READ ALSO: Kano traders accuse customs officers of extortion, harassment
Adeniyi attributed the achievement to the intensified efforts of his team, which also resulted in substantial seizures of prohibited goods. “Our team has made significant progress, with seizures valued at over N28 billion in duty-paid terms,” he stated.
Despite the financial success, Adeniyi expressed concern about the high exit rate among the management staff of the NCS. He noted that in 2022, 60 percent of the management team left the organization, followed by a 36 percent exit rate in 2023. So far in 2024, the exit rate has reached 40 percent and is expected to rise by the end of the year.
In a bid to address this issue, Adeniyi revealed plans to establish a Customs University, aimed at enhancing the NCS’s human capital development. “This initiative will strengthen our workforce and improve our capacity to meet future challenges,” he added.
Kano traders accuse customs officers of extortion, harassment
Recall that Daily News 24 reported how Sabon-Gari Market Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association in Kano State filed a petition against officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, accusing them of extortion, harassment, and unlawful seizure of goods and vehicles meant for northern Nigeria.
According to the association, the targeted goods are locally manufactured, purchased primarily from Lagos’ Alaba Market, and transported to Kano by hired carriers. These items, they contend, are not contraband and do not require customs duties.
In the petition filed through their legal representative, A.A. Hikima Esq, the association highlighted their ongoing struggles, stating that they are forced to pay up to N500,000 per truckload. “The demand for these illegal payments begins at the loading point in Lagos and continues through checkpoints in Kaduna and Zaria, ultimately ending in Kano,” Hikima stated.
The petition identified specific officers alleged to be involved, including OC Bello at Alaba Market in Lagos, Officer Jaji in Kaduna, OC Operation Alkali in Kano, and two officers from the Kaduna Federal Operations Unit, Afemi and Abbas. “Our clients are primarily local goods transporters and traders, engaged in the lawful transport of non-dutiable goods, including cosmetics, solar equipment, bulbs, and bicycles,” the statement read.
“These goods are procured from Lagos and are transported by hired carriers to Kano. We emphasize that these items are locally manufactured and do not fall under contraband or customs duty requirements.”
