KLT COMMAND CONTINUES TO BREAK BOUNDARIES INSPITE OF HUGE HURDLES

DC Adigun right perfor The seized items on display.

Story by Dili Utomi

The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service is somewhat unique in its operations. It is a Command that largely depends on Transire-the movement of cargoes from the mother Ports to other Ports of destination without the necessary need for importation formalities.

Inspite of this rather stringent source of cargo generation and clearance, the Command has continued to employ creative means of meeting with its responsibilities. This much was said by the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Adigun, Bolaji Luqman at the questions and answers session after the second press briefing under his watch.

Earlier, the Acting CAC had informed officers and journalists gathered at the conference room of the Command that “the Command remains committed to its statutory responsibilities of revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement activities”. He added that the briefing was an opportunity to present the Command’s performance and highlight significant achievement recorded in the Enforcement unit.

Deputy Comptroller Adigun announced that the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command generated a total revenue of Nineteen Billion, Four Hundred and Four Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand, One Hundred and Three Naira, and Fifty Three Kobo only (₦19,404,925,103.53) in the month of June 2026, as against the total sum of Fourteen Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Three Million, Six Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty Four Naira, and Thirty Five Kobo only (₦14,363,621,664.35) generated in the corresponding period of June 2025.

This he noted reflects an increase of Five Billion, Forty One Thousand, Three Hundred and Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty Nine Naira, and Eighteen Kobo only (₦5,041,303,439.18), representing a Thirty Five Percent (35%) increase. He attributed the achievement to the dedication of officers and men of the Command, improved stakeholder compliance, enhanced trade facilitation, and the deployment of intelligence-driven strategies.

In the area of anti-smuggling activities, the KLT Area Command also intercepted a 40-foot container with number TIIU4739360 containing expired disposable vape with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Eight Hundred and Nine Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty One Naira only (₦809,698,761).

The Acting CAC disclosed that physical examination of the container revealed Eighteen (18) pallets of disposable vape products. Each pallet contained Sixty (60) cartons, with some cartons containing Twenty (20) and Forty (40) packs respectively. Each pack contained Ten (10) pieces, bringing the total quantity to Four Hundred and Eighty Four (484) cartons, equivalent to One Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty (182,340) pieces.

The products are said to have different expiry dates of 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 respectively, rendering them unfit for use and posing a potential risk to public health. He also said that in line with established procedures and the Command’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, the Command will hand over the seized items to the appropriate government agency for further regulatory action and proper disposal.

The CAC spoke about the advantages of the Nigeria Customs Service’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and the Advance Ruling system, which are designed to promote trade facilitation, enhance compliance, provide greater predictability in customs processes, and improve the ease of doing business.

DC Adigun right performing the hand over of the seized items to Dr. Anzaku.

The seized expired products were later handed over to the Port Head, National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Anzaku Peter Joseph. Deputy Comptroller Adigun during the questions and answers session said that the items which are disposable vapes having expired were bad for health. He added the consignee was profiles to find out if he has other illegal items coming in and that a suspect is in custody as at the day. The seized items were shipped in from Hong Kong.

He further buttressed that the Command enjoys cordial relationships with the mother Ports through which the Command receive its cargoes. The CAC warned importers that the Command is hostile to illegitimate trade, but very friendly to legitimate businesses.

On his part, Dr. Anzaku of the NAFDAC said after the ceremonial hand over of the products that “we are all brothers and sisters as far as all the agencies’ operations are considered as we work together to make sure that only wholesome products are allowed into the country and these products fall short of the standards set by NAFDAC”.

For advertisement and more information, please contact us 08027590195, 08035721540 or email us at greatalternativenigltd@gmail.com, diliutomi1@gmail.com or send us messages on x @dn_utomi or on Instagram @utomidili.