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Customs Honours Officer For Outstanding Performance

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13 years ago

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The just concluded Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Katsina state was regarded as one of the best in terms of organization and high profile by  participants.

The conference which was held at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University was attended by two former presidents, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo while President Goodluck Jonathan was represented by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Speaker of the House of the Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar were  among others in attendance.

The highpoints of the event was the awards of honours to merited officers of the service both serving and retired.

Among the award winning officers was Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 Ape Fagga G.D, who was honoured by the customs management with a silver medal for realsing over N 1 billon revenue by raising Demand Notices (DN).

Demand Notice is issued on imports which were either undervalued, misclassified or underpaid.

It is only an expert and trained officer on classification and valuation that can detect and raise demand notices for such undervalued goods. This is the reason why Fagga was the only officer honoured for such uncommon feats.

Born on the 25th January 1966, in Obi LGA of Nassarawa State, Fagga attended St. John Bosco College, Domain Nassarawa state as well as the Federal polytechnic, Mobi Adamawa state and graduated with both National Diploma and Higher National diploma in Business administration. He joined the Nigeria Customs Service in October, 1989 as a customs assistant: Fagga continued to improve himself as he did his post Graduate Diploma (PGD) at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi in Financial management before obtaining his Master Degree in Financial management from Lagos state University in 2005. With his educational qualifications, he was upgraded from the rank of Inspector of Customs to Assistant superintendent of Customs II in 2006.

In 2010, he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1.

Fagga is regarded as a brain box of Customs laws and procedures, with smart takes on classification and valuation. He is very dedicated and hardworking officer who discovered various fraudulent attempts perpetrated by importers and their agents.

At the PTML command, the fear of Fagga is the beginning of wisdom for agents of fraudulent antics, as he fished them out and made them pay for their sins. He is an expert on physical examination of goods and giving correct reports. He is also a guru on preparation and issuance of unquestionable Demand Notices (DN) on underpaid and undervalued goods. It is on record that Fagga has raised, such DN of not less than N 1 billion for the PTML command. He served at various commands across the country including Adamawa, Nassarawa, Tincan Island Port, Lilypond, Enforcement and Drugs and EI & I in the Customs Headquarter.

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Maritime

Maritime PCRC Seeks  Intelligence Sharing With Western Ports Police

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6 days ago

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February 9, 2026

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The Maritime Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has called for stronger intelligence sharing and collaboration with the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command to enhance security across Nigeria’s Western ports.
The called was made during the official visit by members, Maritime PCRC to Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, at the Command Headquarters in Lagos.
The visit was aimed at deepening the partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and port stakeholders through the PCRC, while reinforcing community-based policing as a strategy for safeguarding critical national assets and port facilities.
Speaking during the visit Chairman, Maritime PCRC, Elder Udoh George, commended the Commissioner of Police Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja for her proactive leadership and professionalism in maintaining security within the port environment. He noted that intelligence-driven policing remains critical to crime prevention in the maritime sector, stressing that the Committee is ready to support the Command through timely information sharing and stakeholder engagement.
According to him, the PCRC will continue to work closely with the police in crime prevention, intelligence gathering and community mobilisation, in order to promote peace and operational efficiency at the ports.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police Agbaminoja appreciated the visit and described the PCRC as a vital bridge between the police and the port community.
 She said effective policing thrives on trust, cooperation and the active participation of stakeholders.
Oluwatoyin assured the Committee of the Command’s readiness to sustain collaboration, noting that consistent engagement with port users and adjoining communities is key to maintaining security, orderliness and uninterrupted port operations.
By: CHINEDU WOSU
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Maritime

Customs Hands Over Seized Cannabis Worths N4.7bn To NDLEA

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6 days ago

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February 9, 2026

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The Customs Command in Tincan Island, Lagos, has handed over 2,366 packs of cannabis indica, valued at over N4.7 billion, to the NDLEA.
The seizure comprised of a 40-feet container holding 55 jumbo bags of cannabis indica intercepted during routine enforcement operations at the port.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this in a Statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson Oscar Ivara.and copied Newsmen
Speaking during the handover, Onyeka said officers acted in line with global standards on border protection and public safety.
“Today, we inform you of developments in securing our borders, aligning with the 2026 International Customs Day theme of vigilance and commitment,” he said.
Onyeka said the container was examined on Jan. 28, 2026 alongside NDLEA and DSS operatives, following intelligence-led profiling.
“A 40-feet container was found to contain 2,366 packs in 55 jumbo bags of cannabis indica,” he said.
He added that officers also discovered a Colt MK IV .45 calibre pistol with an empty magazine inside the container.
According to him, three used vehicles were deployed to conceal the prohibited items, including a Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Sienna and Toyota Matrix.
“Interestingly, we apprehended one suspect in connection with the seizure,” Onyeka said.
He warned that Customs would not tolerate drug smuggling or transnational crime threatening national security and public health.
Receiving the consignment, NDLEA Commander, Solomon Omotoso, commended Customs for strong inter-agency collaboration.
Omotoso assured that the NDLEA would intensify investigations and prosecution in line with existing laws.
By: CHINEDU WOSU
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Customs Hands Over Three 21 Ft Containers of Expired Drugs To NAFDAC

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6 days ago

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February 9, 2026

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The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island command, has handed over Three Containers of expired drugs drugs to NAFDAC.
Customs Area Controller at Tincan Island, Comptroller Frank Onyeka disclosed this during the formal handover in Lagos
According to him,”Today marks the formal handover of three 20ft containers of expired pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action,”
Onyeka explained that two containers, numbered PONU031958/6 and MSKU711656/0, were found to contain expired Tramadol tablets.
He said detailed examination revealed that one container held 86 cartons of Vingil Tramadol BP 50mg, while the second contained 250 cartons of the same expired product.
The third container, MSKU413519/1, contained 370 cartons of expired Diclofenac Sodium BP 50mg tablets without a valid NAFDAC registration number.
“This consignment is illegal and dangerous for public consumption,” Onyeka warned, stressing the public health risk posed by such drugs.
Beyond seizures, Onyeka said Tincan Island Customs had improved cargo examinations, intelligence gathering, and enforcement operations to intercept prohibited and falsely declared goods.
“The Command proactively intercepts controlled pharmaceuticals, arms, ammunition, narcotics, and items threatening public safety and economic stability,”
Onyeka reaffirmed the command’s commitment to public health and national security, pledging a tougher crackdown on illicit drugs across the nation.
On his achievements, he said the Command  enforced the anti-smuggling drive, safeguarding public health and national security.
He explained that enforcement is strengthened while facilitating legitimate trade, contributing significantly to revenue generation, in line with Customs’ core mandate.
“These achievements result from discipline, integrity, and strong inter-agency collaboration,” he added, highlighting the strategies behind successful operations.
Onyeka commended NAFDAC for its cooperation, noting that their synergy helps prevent fake, substandard, and expired drugs from reaching the public.
He assured that collaboration with NAFDAC would continue to intercept dangerous pharmaceuticals before they enter the Nigerian market.
Onyeka lauded the  officers for their dedication, describing their efforts as key to the command’s credibility and operational effectiveness.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for leadership and reforms empowering customs operations nationwide.
“Our command will not relent in combating illicit trade and enforcing compliance with existing laws,” Onyeka said.
He promised continued collaboration with sister agencies to safeguard lives and property across Nigeria.
Receiving the drugs, NAFDAC Chief Regulatory Officer, Kareem Adekunle, said the expired products would be destroyed by burning.
Adekunle commended Customs for their exemplary collaboration and pledged continued partnership to protect Nigerians’ health.
By:  CHINEDU WOSU
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