The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, generated more than N63.07 billion in revenue during the first half of 2026, representing a 7.4 per cent increase over the amount collected during the corresponding period in 2025, despite a decline in cargo throughput.
Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller UU Adamu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano, where he presented the Command’s half-year operational report.
According to him, the Command realised N63.08 billion between January and June 2026, compared to N58.39 billion generated within the same period last year.
He also revealed that the Kano Free Trade Zone generated more than N26 billion in the first six months of the year, exceeding its entire revenue for 2025 by about N4 billion.
“The Command generated N63.08 billion from January to June 2026, representing a growth of about 7.4 per cent over the corresponding period of 2025, despite the decline in cargo throughput,” Adamu said.
He added that the Command recovered approximately N3 billion through efforts aimed at curbing the abuse of transit procedures.
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On anti-smuggling operations, the Acting Controller said intelligence-led enforcement and stronger collaboration with other security agencies resulted in significant seizures with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N1.71 billion.
The seized items included unregistered pharmaceutical products such as tramadol and pregabalin, four air pistols, elephant tusks, over 2,000 jerrycans of foreign packaged vegetable oil, military equipment, diverted transit containers, smuggled vehicles, a drone camera imported without the required End User Certificate, prohibited foreign pasta and rice, as well as counterfeit agrochemical packaging materials.
Adamu disclosed that 22 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, noting that while some had been handed over to relevant security and regulatory agencies for further investigation, others were granted administrative bail.
“The total detentions and seizures recorded during the period under review amounted to a Duty Paid Value of N1.71 billion,” he stated.
The Command also intercepted undeclared foreign currencies and precious metals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, involving 568,100 US dollars, 134,256 Saudi Riyals, 28 Chinese Yuan, 20 Ghana Cedis, and 35 kilograms of silver bars valued at N175 million.
According to Adamu, the interception underscores the Command’s determination to combat illicit financial flows and strengthen Nigeria’s financial system.
He attributed the Command’s performance to reforms introduced during the review period, including improved monitoring of transit cargo, streamlined revenue collection, intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced cargo clearance procedures, strengthened oversight of the Kano Free Trade Zone, regular stakeholder engagement, and the deployment of a real-time revenue monitoring dashboard.
“These remarkable achievements did not occur by chance. They were the result of deliberate and well-coordinated strategies deployed by the Command earlier in the year,” he said.
The Acting Controller commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Customs management for providing strategic leadership and reforms that contributed to the Command’s achievements.
He also appreciated sister security agencies, regulatory bodies, stakeholders and the media for their continued support and collaboration.
Adamu urged traders and other stakeholders to comply with government fiscal and trade policies, assuring that the Kano/Jigawa Area Command would sustain intelligence-driven operations while promoting legitimate trade, protecting the nation’s economy and improving revenue generation.
