Category: Military

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has commenced the full deployment of the Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage Import system to ease clearance, improve transparency and strengthen revenue collection at the border.

The digital initiative is part of the Service’s broader customs modernisation programme aimed at facilitating legitimate travel and cross-border trade through technology-driven processes.

Under the new system, passengers can initiate baggage declarations using mobile devices or complete the process at designated digital kiosks provided by the Command.

The system applies standardised and pre-programmed assessment tables to declared personal goods, allowing applicable duties to be calculated automatically. Upon payment, receipts are also generated electronically.

The digital process is expected to reduce manual intervention and discretionary assessment while giving passengers greater clarity and predictability in the clearance of dutiable baggage.

The Seme Area Command said the impact of the system was already being reflected in passenger clearance times, with average baggage clearance turnaround now standing at less than five minutes since the commencement of the deployment.

Within the first few days of implementation, the Command also generated ₦10,340,260.02 from passenger baggage declarations.

The revenue represents duties collected through the automated process and provides a direct channel for the remittance of applicable customs revenue to the Federation Account.

The Command, however, stressed that improved facilitation would not come at the expense of border security or compliance with customs laws and regulations.

It said the digital baggage declaration system was being implemented alongside enhanced risk management and intelligence-led enforcement to detect attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage.

According to the Command, the combination of digital processing and targeted enforcement would enable Customs to distinguish legitimate passenger movements from activities requiring regulatory or enforcement intervention.

The initiative is also expected to improve the experience of passengers and cross-border traders by reducing avoidable delays while strengthening transparency in the assessment and payment of customs duties.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, said the deployment was consistent with the commitment of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to technology, innovation, trade facilitation, transparency and accountability in customs administration.

Kaila urged passengers, cross-border traders and other members of the trading community to take advantage of the simplified declaration platform and comply with applicable customs requirements.

He assured legitimate travellers and businesses operating through the Seme border corridor of continued facilitation, while noting that the Command would sustain collaboration with sister agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect national security, support lawful commerce and curb cross-border illicit trade.

…Team A emerges overall winner as participating units, sister agencies showcase combat readiness

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has formally declared the Central Naval Command (CNC) Intra-Command Maritime Tactical Live Firing Exercise, codenamed EX MIYE EBIMO, closed, describing it as a significant demonstration of the Nigerian Navy’s continued commitment to maintaining a well-trained, disciplined and operationally ready fighting force.

Vice Admiral Abbas, who was represented at the closing ceremony by the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim CTG 26.1, stressed that “readiness is not achieved through a single exercise; it is built through continuous training, discipline, teamwork, professionalism and constant learning.”

The ceremony held at Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, where the two-day exercise took place from 23 to 24 September 2026.

The CNS said the value of any live-firing exercise goes beyond the successful discharge of weapons, adding that “the ultimate objective is to develop combat effectiveness, tactical confidence, teamwork and operational readiness.”

He charged personnel to carry the experience gained into actual maritime operations, particularly in surveillance, patrols, protection of critical national maritime infrastructure and response to threats within the area of responsibility.

Vice Admiral Abbas also called for a comprehensive post-exercise review to identify strengths, shortcomings and lessons observed, directing that appropriate remedial measures be pursued where gaps are identified.

He commended Rear Admiral Ibrahim and his planning team for the initiative and coordination that brought the exercise to a successful conclusion, just as he appreciated the Commanding Officer and personnel of FOB FORMOSO for providing the necessary support and facilities for the conduct of the exercise.

The CNS further acknowledged the contributions of all participating units, formations, ships, boats, instructors, safety personnel, medical personnel, range staff and other supporting elements, noting that “the success recorded today is a product of collective effort.”

Vice Admiral Abbas particularly acknowledged the participation of the Air Arm of the Nigerian Navy and its pilots, whose aerial support and professionalism contributed significantly to the success of the exercise.

He praised the pilots for their precision, coordination and courage, noting that their involvement underscored the importance of joint and intra-command cooperation in maritime operations.

The display was not only a spectacular showcase of naval aviation capability but also a testament to the excellence that defines the Naval Air Station under the command of Commander IC Amauche.

He also appreciated the cooperation and support of host communities and other relevant stakeholders, emphasising that effective maritime security cannot be achieved by military action alone but requires constructive engagement with local communities, government institutions, sister services, security agencies and other stakeholders.

Participating units and sister agencies were divided into five teams for the competition. At the end of the fiercely contested exercise, Team A emerged as the overall winner.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of medals to teams that came tops in the exercise, while the FOC presented trophies to teams that distinguished themselves in other areas of merit.

The exercise featured a series of demanding tactical drills, including assault operations, beach landing and the neutralising of an adversary camp. These drills tested the combat readiness, coordination and tactical competence of participating personnel under realistic operational conditions.

Personnel displayed commendable levels of discipline, professionalism, courage and commitment throughout the two-day event.

In his closing remarks, Rear Admiral Ibrahim described the exercise as “another important milestone” in the Command’s continuous efforts to enhance the operational readiness, tactical competence and combat effectiveness of personnel and units under the Central Naval Command.

He noted that the exercise exposed participants to realistic operational situations, enabling the Command to evaluate critical aspects of its capabilities, including command and control, weapons handling, coordination and the effective employment of resources in a maritime environment.

“Training exercises such as this are essential because they enable us to identify capability gaps in a controlled environment before personnel are required to confront similar challenges during actual operations,” the FOC stated.

He commended the exercise planning and control teams, participating units, instructors, range safety personnel, medical personnel and support staff for their contributions to the overall success of the exercise, while urging commanders at all levels to ensure that lessons identified are properly documented, analysed and incorporated into subsequent training and operational planning.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim also emphasised the importance of safety in all training and operational activities, particularly the employment of live ammunition, which he said demands the highest standards of discipline, concentration and strict compliance with established safety procedures.

On the sidelines of the exercise, the FOC commissioned a newly built barber’s shop at FOB FORMOSO.

Speaking at the commissioning, Rear Admiral Ibrahim said the project was “beyond a barber’s shop,” noting that the Commanding Officer of FOB FORMOSO, Navy Captain SK Haruna, had translated the Chief of the Naval Staff’s Strategic Directives and the FOC’s Command Tenets, particularly the infrastructural drive and welfare of personnel into reality.

He praised the Commanding Officer for his initiative and commitment to improving the welfare and working environment of personnel at the Base, urging other commanders to emulate the gesture.

The closing ceremony was attended by senior officers, commanders, participating troops and support staff, as well as representatives of host communities.

With the successful conclusion of EX MIYE EBIMO, the Central Naval Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining a high state of readiness in view of its strategic importance within the maritime environment of the Central Naval Command.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, at the Authority’s Headquarters, Marina, Lagos.

Rear Admiral Mustapha said the visit was aimed at formally introducing himself and further consolidating the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Navy and the NPA, with a shared focus on strengthening port security and improving trade facilitation across Nigeria’s maritime domain. He conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for the Authority’s strategic role in supporting national economic growth and advancing the Blue Economy, describing the NPA as a critical stakeholder in maritime security and efficient port operations.

The FOC commended the Managing Director for his innovative leadership in driving port efficiency and reform, and highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to enhance maritime security through the Falcon Eye Maritime Surveillance System, the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and the deployment to curb maritime crimes and ensure safer shipping lanes.He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deeper collaboration with the NPA in support of secure and seamless trade facilitation.

In his response, Dr Dantsoho appreciated the enduring partnership between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Navy, commending the Western Naval Command for its critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and enabling efficient port operations. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration in strengthening port security architecture while improving trade facilitation processes to enhance competitiveness and ease of doing business. He also called for increased operational support, particularly in the Eastern Zone, and expressed optimism that deeper synergy would further advance national maritime security and economic development.

The visit featured the presentation of souvenirs and concluded with a group photograph, reaffirming the shared commitment of both organisations to consolidating partnership for enhanced port security, improved trade facilitation and sustained national economic growth.

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed reports alleging that smugglers barricaded the Idiroko–Sango Ota road in Ogun State, describing the claims as false and a misrepresentation of an unfortunate traffic incident.

According to information made available to our correspondent, the traffic gridlock was caused by an accident involving a commercial trailer which broke down after falling into a badly failed section of the Atan Road, leading to a temporary obstruction of vehicular movement

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed reports alleging that smugglers barricaded the Idiroko–Sango Ota road in Ogun State, describing the claims as false and a misrepresentation of an unfortunate traffic incident.

According to information made available to our correspondent, the traffic gridlock was caused by an accident involving a commercial trailer which broke down after falling into a badly failed section of the Atan Road, leading to a temporary obstruction of vehicular movement.

The Command clarified that the vehicles trapped in the resulting congestion were legitimate commercial trucks conveying red palm oil to local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.

The management through the Command Public Relations, Zakari Chado, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs explained that the sheer number of heavy-duty vehicles caught in the traffic mistakenly led some members of the public to conclude that smugglers had taken over the road, a claim the Command insists is entirely unfounded.

“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.

The Command appealed to journalists, social media users and members of the public to exercise restraint and verify information before circulating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.

Industry observers note that the allegation is inconsistent with the current security reality within the Ogun I Area Command, which has intensified anti-smuggling operations under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.

Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has sustained intelligence-driven surveillance, strengthened collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders, and maintained sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors. These efforts have resulted in notable seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.

Maritime and border trade stakeholders have therefore urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims that could diminish the achievements of security personnel or create a false impression of lawlessness in the border communities.

They maintained that while the fight against smuggling remains a continuous responsibility, accurate reporting is equally essential to ensure that genuine operational successes are not overshadowed by misinformation.

The Command reiterated its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.