The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 20 diverted transit containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦769.5 million within the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, marking a significant victory in the fight against economic sabotage.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Kano on Friday, December 19, 2025.
He revealed that the seizures, which occurred between the second and fourth quarters of the year, were the result of sustained intelligence operations aimed at dismantling organised cargo diversion networks.
The intercepted containers were loaded with various goods, including vitrified tiles diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone, diesel engine oil, polyester materials, textiles, and medical consumables.
“Cargo diversion is a grave offence that undermines government revenue, compromises national security, and damages Nigeria’s standing in international commerce,” Adeniyi stated. “The Service will not hesitate to deploy all lawful measures to punish offenders.”
In a related legal development, the CGC confirmed the conviction of one Abdulrahman Sani Adam for container diversion.
The Federal High Court, Kano Division, sentenced the offender to three years imprisonment with an option of a ₦3 million fine on December 10, 2025. Additionally, two containers of medical consumables were forfeited to the Federal Government.
To curb future occurrences, the Customs boss announced the near-nationwide deployment of electronic container tracking devices. This technology will enable real-time monitoring of transit cargo from ports to inland destinations, flagging any route deviations or tampering.
Adeniyi warned importers and logistics operators to adhere strictly to approved transit procedures or face prosecution and loss of trading privileges.
Yuletide: FCCPC warns transporters against arbitrary fare hikes
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a caution to inter-city road transport operators regarding arbitrary and transparently unjustified fare increases during the ongoing Yuletide season.
The warning follows a surge in consumer complaints alleging exploitative pricing across several routes in the country. The Commission noted that these complaints come at a time when reports suggest a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in some regions, raising questions about the basis for the hikes.
In a statement, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, acknowledged that while seasonal demand and operational costs can legitimately impact fares, consumers have a right to fair and transparent pricing.
“Price increases are not, in themselves, unlawful,” Bello clarified. “However, conduct that exploits consumers or takes unfair advantage of heightened seasonal demand may attract regulatory attention under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.”
The FCCPC boss warned that practices such as inadequate fare disclosure, coercive conduct, or coordinated pricing arrangements among unions to the detriment of passengers will be subjected to strict scrutiny.
