By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Kano
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized 20 diverted transit containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦769.5 million in Kano and Jigawa States, in a renewed crackdown on cargo diversion across the country.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command headquarters, covering seizures made between the second and fourth quarters of 2025.
Adeniyi said the seizures were part of intensified enforcement operations aimed at stopping the diversion of containers lawfully destined for inland terminals and Free Trade Zones, describing the practice as a serious breach of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
According to him, container diversion poses significant economic and security threats, including loss of government revenue, distortion of fair trade practices and damage to Nigeria’s international trade reputation.
Providing a breakdown of the seizures, the Customs boss said seven containers of vitrified tiles valued at ₦228.5 million were intercepted along the Hadejia Road corridor after being illegally diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone.
He added that two containers of diesel engine oil worth ₦87.5 million and two containers of polyester materials valued at ₦77.9 million were seized from private warehouses in the Dakata Industrial Area of Kano.
Adeniyi also disclosed that one container of used clothing valued at ₦48.4 million was intercepted along the Yankaba–Hadejia Road axis.
Similarly, four containers of printed and lace fabrics with a combined value of ₦226.1 million were seized along the Hotoro–Maiduguri and Zaria–Kano highways.
He further revealed that one container of Zamzam bottled water valued at ₦21.4 million was intercepted at the APM Terminal in Kano.
The Comptroller-General said three additional containers containing medical consumables and lace fabrics valued at ₦25.2 million were seized in the Dakata area, noting that two of them were forfeited to the Federal Government following a judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano, delivered on December 10, 2025.
He added that one container intercepted at Kwari Market with a DPV of ₦75 million remains under detention pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Adeniyi also disclosed that one Abdulrahman Sani Adam was convicted by the Federal High Court, Kano, on December 10, 2025, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦3 million fine for his role in container diversion.
To tackle the menace, he said the Service has intensified the deployment of an electronic cargo tracking system, revealing that over 40 containers within the Kano/Jigawa Command have already been fitted with tracking devices.
He explained that the system, which has been piloted in the South-West and North-West corridors, would soon be rolled out nationwide to enable real-time monitoring of containers from ports to their final destinations.
The Customs CG warned importers, freight forwarders and shipping agents to comply strictly with transit regulations, stressing that offenders would face prosecution, forfeiture of goods and other sanctions.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to trade facilitation, revenue generation and national security, while urging the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest Customs formation.