• Seize 27 Containers Of Contraband With N9.2Bn DPV
• 3 Bonded Terminals Sealed
In the first half of 2025, the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) collected a total sum of N1,378,059,019,245.20K as revenue, which represents 35 percent increase above the N1,023,663,842,255.63K that the command collected the corresponding period of 2024.
This marks N354 billion increase in collection within the period under review.
Giving these figures on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at a press conference which held at the Command Headquarters, Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa, Lagos State, South-West Nigeria, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, attributed this collection to diligent officers and compliant traders.
Reviewing the first six months of the year, Olomu said: “The first half of 2025 has been very eventful and engaging, featuring our drive for revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling. Our enhanced stakeholder engagement, deployment of ICT, port user compliance and uncompromising disposition of our officers and men culminated into better achievements for us, in line with the CGC’s policy thrust.”
The CAC explained that on his watch and under the direction of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the command has always insisted on maximum collection of government revenue by preventing leakages and applying demand notices (DN) where and when necessary.
Olomu said: “Our revenue collection trajectory points to the possibility of achieving or surpassing our annual target by the end of 2025.I have urged my officers and men to brace up and redouble their efforts to make surpassing target a reality.”
On the command’s anti-smuggling efforts during the review period, Olomu showcased nine seized laden containers of contrabands comprising unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing,expired margarine, wild animals’ skin, and codeine syrup seized by the command just a couple of days ago.
These seizures, according to him, form part of the twenty-seven containers seized between January-June 2025 with a duty paid value of (DPV) of N9,267,443,966.00.
The CAC said: “The seizures are inclusive of 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, two containers of codeine syrup, two containers of stolen vehicles, two containers of second-hand clothing, amongst 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,safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation. Every consignment passing through our port undergo diligent check through scanning and physical examination when required.
“Unregistered pharmaceuticals is most prominent on the list of 28 seizures made by the command during the period under review. The seizures comprise of controlled drugs, used clothes, codeine syrup, wild animals’ skin and other sundry items. It is pertinent to note that trafficking of wild animals contravene the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), of 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.”
Olomu announced that as a fallout from the command’s uncompromising anti-smuggling operations, three bonded terminals were sealed for various infractions, with one of the terminals being charged to court for prosecution while an investigation is still ongoing on the remaining two terminals.
The CAC said: “Let me use this medium to once again warn perpetrators of illegal acts that Apapa Port Command is manned by eagle-eyed officers, who are activated to detect and seize uncustomed goods with a clear mandate to arrest perpetrators. We have demonstrated our capacity in this regard and we shall continue to do more.”
On trade facilitation, Olomu noted that “the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) also known as B’Odogwu has gone live in the Apapa Command with laudable milestones”.
He said: “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.
“Very recently, under the guidance of the CGC, we 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.
“I 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 decongest the port, reduce pressure on the Apapa roads and provide a viable and cost-effective option of cargo movement to our importers, exporters, freight forwarding practitioners, haulage operators and licensed customs agents.”
Acknowledging and commending other sister government agencies for their support, the CAC said that they “have always enjoyed their robust intelligence sharing and joint consultations towards national security”.
He added: “Our togetherness has always stood as great blows to criminals and their activities. We shall continue strengthening the bond.”
• Highlights of when the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, briefing the press on the activities of the command in the first half of the year at the Command Headquarters, Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa, Lagos State, South-West Nigeria … Thursday, July 3, 2025.
