The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed allegations of escalating smuggling, revenue leakages, recruitment irregularities and manipulation of its succession process, saying the claims do not reflect the Service’s current operational and administrative realities.
The Service said its enforcement records, digital valuation systems and institutional oversight mechanisms had strengthened accountability while reducing opportunities for discretion and revenue losses.
The response followed a report by an online platform which alleged increased smuggling activities along the Seme, Idiroko, Ilaro, Ipokia and Igbeti-Kishi corridors in Ogun and Oyo states.
The report also raised concerns about the use of the “846” Extended Procedure Code for vehicles with non-standard Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), alleging that weaknesses in the valuation process were being exploited to under-declare imported vehicles at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands.
Responding to the allegations, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, said the seizure records routinely presented by Customs Area Controllers contradicted claims of unchecked smuggling along the affected corridors.
Maiwada said the Service continued to enforce Federal Government restrictions and prohibitions while facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that enforcement operations were sustained along the nation’s land borders.
He also explained that the 846 procedure was not an avenue for arbitrary valuation but a digital mechanism created for vehicles that cannot be processed through the standard VIN-based valuation system.
According to him, the category covers specialised heavy equipment, classic and vintage vehicles, as well as customised vehicles with non-standard VINs.
Maiwada said standard vehicles were automatically assessed through a system linked to global manufacturer databases, limiting human intervention in the valuation process.
For vehicles processed under the 846 procedure, he said, applications were subjected to secondary approval by designated Valuation Officers and Area Controllers.
He added that post-clearance audits were routinely conducted to detect discrepancies, with Demand Notices issued where duties had been under-collected and clearance licences suspended where infractions were established.
The Customs spokesman said revenue collections at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and PTML Area Commands had reached historic levels under the current digital oversight framework, disputing suggestions that the valuation system was facilitating widespread revenue leakage.
The Service also rejected allegations surrounding the recent recruitment of Assistant Superintendents of Customs II, saying the exercise was conducted under the supervision and authorisation of the Nigeria Customs Service Board.
It said the recruitment process, which included applications, computer-based testing, physical screening and final shortlisting, complied with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and Federal Character Commission guidelines.
According to the Service, the published list represents candidates granted provisional offers of appointment, with their appointments still subject to medical verification, background checks and formal acceptance.
On concerns over the recent leadership training programme for Deputy Comptrollers, the NCS said investment in human capital remained central to its efforts to modernise customs operations and strengthen intelligence and leadership capacity.
It explained that official training programmes and international exposures were funded through approved government budgetary allocations or formal bilateral technical assistance arrangements with international partners, including the World Customs Organisation.
The Service further rejected allegations that its leadership was manipulating succession in favour of particular groups of officers.
It said promotion and career progression were governed by the Public Service Rules, the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and established procedures based on seniority, performance in promotion examinations and the availability of vacancies.
The NCS maintained that officers were not being denied promotion because of their recruitment years, adding that promotion exercises under the current leadership had become more regular, transparent and timely.
On calls for investigations by the Presidency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Assembly and Office of the National Security Adviser, the Service said it remained subject to statutory oversight and had nothing to fear from legitimate scrutiny.
It noted that its activities were subject to oversight by the Federal Ministry of Finance, National Assembly, Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and relevant anti-corruption agencies.
The Service said it routinely cooperated with parliamentary committees, the EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the ONSA whenever required.
It maintained that any officer or stakeholder found to have engaged in corruption, revenue leakage or administrative misconduct would face disciplinary action and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
The NCS said it remained open to investigations initiated by competent statutory or anti-corruption authorities, describing transparency, accountability and digital transformation as key elements of its ongoing reforms.
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