Revenue up, unsafe imports down: Kirikiri Customs reports ₦19.4bn collection, major vape seizure

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is recording stronger results on two critical fronts of its statutory mandate: revenue generation and enforcement after collecting ₦19.4 billion in June 2026 and intercepting a large consignment of expired disposable vape products valued at ₦809.7 million.

The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, disclosed the figures during a media briefing at the Command on Thursday, describing the performance as evidence that the Service can facilitate legitimate trade while preventing harmful imports from entering the Nigerian market.

According to him, the Command generated ₦19,404,925,103.53 in June 2026, compared to ₦14,363,621,664.35 realised in the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of ₦5.04 billion, or 35 per cent.

In a release made available by Chief Superintendent of Customs Victor Ogagbor, Public Relations Officer of the Command, Adigun attributed the impressive revenue growth to improved compliance by stakeholders, enhanced trade facilitation measures and intelligence-driven operational strategies deployed by the Command.

While celebrating the revenue milestone, the Acting Controller stressed that the Command had remained uncompromising in its enforcement responsibilities, leading to the interception of a 40-foot container loaded with expired disposable vape products.

He disclosed that the container, identified as TIIU4739360, had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦809,698,761 and was intercepted during routine cargo examination by Customs officers.

According to him, physical examination revealed 18 pallets containing 484 cartons of disposable vape products, amounting to 182,340 individual pieces.

Further inspection showed that the products carried expiry dates ranging from 2022 to 2026, making them expired and unsuitable for public consumption.

Adigun warned that allowing such products into the Nigerian market could pose serious health risks, adding that the Command had already initiated the process of transferring the seizure to the appropriate regulatory agency for further investigation and proper disposal.

“The interception demonstrates the vigilance, professionalism and commitment of our officers to protecting the nation’s economy and safeguarding public health by preventing unsafe and non-compliant products from entering the market,” he said.

He reiterated that the Command would continue to balance trade facilitation with strict enforcement by deploying intelligence-led operations, effective risk management systems and rigorous cargo examination procedures to detect prohibited, falsely declared and expired goods.

The Acting Controller urged importers, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders to comply fully with existing import regulations, while encouraging them to embrace the Nigeria Customs Service’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and Advance Ruling System to enhance compliance and promote seamless trade.

Adigun also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing strategic leadership, and commended officers of the Command, compliant traders, terminal operators, partner government agencies and the media for their continued support.

He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to consolidate its gains in revenue generation, strengthen cargo surveillance and sustain intelligence-driven enforcement aimed at protecting the nation’s economy while improving the ease of doing business.