…As seizures of smuggled items hit 27 containers
The Customs Area Comptroller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has said that, under the guidance of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs, the Command opened talks with officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and other stakeholders from various associations on developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the movement of goods by rail from Apapa Port to other states.
The CAC disclosed this while presenting 2025 revenue half year report to the media.
“| am pleased to express that the talks have shown prospects for success with pledges of support and anticipation for robust participation by all concerned. This effort to revive cargo movement by rail aims to de-congest the port, reduce pressure on the Apapa roads, and provide a viable and cost-effective option for cargo movement to our importers, exporters, Freight forwarding practitioners, haulage operators and licensed customs agents.
In the area of revenue collection, the Command according to the CAC achieved a total collection of one trillion, three hundred and seventy-eight billion, fifty-nine million, nineteen thousand, two hundred and forty-five naira, twenty kobo (N1,378,059,019,245.20) representing a 35% increase above, One trillion, twenty-three billion, six hundred and sixty-three million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand, two hundred and fifty-five naira, sixty-three kobo (N1,023,663,842,255.63) collected in the same period in 2024, marking an N354 billion increase in collection within the period under review.
He attributed this collection “to our diligent officers and compliant traders”, adding, ” On my watch and under the direction of the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, psc (+), we have always insisted on maximum collection of government revenue by preventing leakage.”
In the area of trade facilitation, the CAC said the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwy, has gone live in the Apapa Command with laudable milestones.
Emphasizing the diligence of the command, he that In addition to the issuance of the Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) being issued using the homegrown technology, we have achieved issuance of the first Single Goods Declaration on the 9th of May 2025 using the B’Odogwu platform. For us, this marks a significant shift towards faster, more reliable cargo handling.
“We have created a robust platform that facilitates trade and ensures the swift clearance of cargo.
“We are addressing challenges such as poor network connectivity, delays, and congestion associated with the former system.
“Today, we are showcasing nine (9) containers comprising of unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, expired margarine, wild animals’ skin, and codeine syrup seized by the command just a couple of days ago, which form part of the twenty-seven (27) containers seized between January-June 2025 with a duty paid valve of (DPV) of Nine billion, two sixty-seven million, four hundred and forty
three thousand, nine hundred and sixty-six naira (&9,267,443,966.00)
“The seizures include 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, 2 containers of codeine syrup, 2 containers of stolen vehicles, 4 containers of second-hand clothing, among others.
“These seizures are a fallout of our efforts at preventing Nigerians from unwholesome foods and drugs, stopping illicit trade, and protecting our local industries.
“As a standard, we will never compromise the health, well-being, and safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation. Every consignment passing through our port undergoes a diligent check through scanning and physical examination when required.
Unregistered pharmaceuticals are most prominent on the list of twenty-eight (28) seizures made by the command during the period under review. The seizures comprise controlled drugs, used clothes, codeine syrup, wild animals’ skin, and other sundry items.
“It is pertinent to note that the trafficking of wild animals contravenes the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory. Equally, on the detention list is a container of matches imported without the required End User Certificate (EUC) as provided for in our extant laws.
Meanwhile in a smart move to neutralize smugglers, the CAC said that the Command has sealed three bonded terminal. CAC Olomu told journalists that one of the terminals has already been charged to court, while investigations are ongoing regarding the remaining two.
He affirmed the commitment of his Command to sanitize the port environment and maintain strict adherence to customs regulations by all stakeholders.
“As a result of our robust anti-smuggling efforts, three bonded terminals have been sealed.One is already undergoing prosecution in court, and we are currently investigating the others,” Olomu declared.
