The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has rejected allegations of increased smuggling, revenue leakage, recruitment irregularities and succession manipulation in the country .
It described the claims as a misrepresentation of its operations and administrative processes.
The Customs was reacting to an investigative report published by SaharaReporters on August 7, 2026, which alleged intensified smuggling activities along the Seme, Idiroko, Ilaro, Ipokia and Igbeti-Kishi corridors in Ogun and Oyo states.
The report also raised concerns about Customs valuation procedures, particularly the use of the “846” Extended Procedure Code for vehicles with non-standard Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).
Responding to the allegations, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, said; “the reported surge in smuggling did not reflect the actual situation along the affected corridors.”
“The claim of a ‘surge’ in smuggling along the affected land border corridors does not reflect the true state of enforcement operations,” Maiwada said.
He explained that the volume and frequency of seizures recorded by Customs and routinely presented during media briefings by Area Controllers demonstrated that the Service was actively combating illegal trade.
“The Service remains committed to enforcing extant Federal Government restrictions and prohibitions while facilitating the movement of legitimate trade,” he said.
On the controversial 846 valuation code, Maiwada said the system was an established digital tool created to process vehicles that could not be automatically assessed through the standard VIN-Valuation database.
According to him, such vehicles include specialised heavy equipment, classic models, customised vehicles and vintage builds with non-standard VINs.
“Standard vehicles are processed automatically through a system tied directly to global manufacturer specification databases, removing human discretion,” he explained.
Maiwada said that applications under the 846 procedure were subjected to additional scrutiny before approval.
“Non-standard 846 applications are subject to mandatory secondary approval by designated Valuation Officers and Area Controllers,” he said.
The Customs spokesman further disclosed that discrepancies discovered during post-clearance audits could result in the recovery of unpaid duties and sanctions against erring operators.
“Discrepancies uncovered during post-clearance audits routinely trigger Demand Notices for the recovery of short-collected duties and the suspension of offending clearance licences,” he stated.
The Service also dismissed allegations surrounding the recruitment of Assistant Superintendents of Customs II (ASC II), saying “the exercise was conducted under the supervision and authorisation of the Nigeria Customs Service Board.”
It said the process, which included computer-based testing, physical screening and final shortlisting, complied with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and Federal Character Commission guidelines.
On allegations of succession manipulation, the NCS said promotions were based on established rules rather than personal preferences.
“Succession and promotion within the NCS are governed strictly by the Public Service Rules, the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and established career progression structures anchored on seniority, merit as demonstrated in promotion examinations, and the availability of establishment vacancies,” Maiwada said.
The NCS also defended its leadership training programmes, saying they were designed to strengthen trade operations, intelligence management and executive leadership capacity.
On calls for investigations by government and anti-corruption agencies, the Service said it had nothing to fear from legitimate scrutiny.
“We do not fear, evade or oppose legitimate scrutiny,” it said, stressing that it regularly cooperates with the National Assembly, EFCC, ICPC and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, warning that any officer or stakeholder found involved in corruption, revenue leakage or administrative misconduct would face disciplinary action and prosecution under the law.
