– Intensifies enforcement against smuggling
Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, KLT, Area Command, has achieved a new half-year revenue record, collecting ₦89.2 billion between January and June 2025, while stepping up enforcement against smuggling with high-profile seizures.
The Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Joy Edelduok, highlighted the command’s half-year performance during a press briefing, attributing the success to a series of strategic reforms and enforcement measures.
She stated: “The first half of 2025 was active and productive, driven by a firm commitment to increasing revenue, supporting legitimate trade, and tackling smuggling in all its forms.
“During the period under review, the Command recorded a total revenue collection of ₦89.2 billion. This figure represents a substantial increase of 63 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2024, which stood at ₦54.8 billion.”
In anti-smuggling operations, the Area Controller revealed that officers intercepted two 40-foot containers containing expired pharmaceuticals valued at ₦130 million. She stated that the items contravene the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 provisions and other import laws.
She affirmed: “The command remains committed to applying the law without compromise to protect public health and uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism in all aspects of its operations. We will continue to engage constructively with stakeholders through open communication, inter-agency cooperation, and compliance-driven facilitation.”
The CAC appreciated all stakeholders and partner agencies’ continued cooperation and support. She described their contributions as critical to effectively delivering the Command’s mandate and advancing the national economy.
She also commended the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command officers and men for their diligence, discipline, and commitment to duty. She urged them to maintain this high standard and uphold the service’s values in all their engagements.
Comptroller Edelduok handed over the illegal pharmaceuticals to a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, representative, Commander Ashiru Abdullahi, who commended the working synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA.
