By Peace Udugba
…Highlights Anti-Money Laundering Efforts at ONSA Security Briefing
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has processed 9,195 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) and 99,839 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) between September and October 2026, underscoring its efforts to facilitate legitimate trade, improve cargo clearance and boost revenue generation.
The figures were disclosed during a joint security briefing at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Speaking at the briefing, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, said the performance reflected the NCS’s commitment to improving trade processes through efficient documentation, digital interventions and stronger collaboration with stakeholders across the trade value chain.
A breakdown of the figures showed that the Service processed 2,102 PAARs in September and 7,093 in October, bringing the total to 9,195 within the two-month period.
Similarly, 48,832 SGDs were processed in September, while 51,007 were recorded in October, bringing the combined figure to 99,839.
The Service also recorded substantial revenue collections of ₦697.84 billion in September and ₦722.91 billion in October, amounting to ₦1.42 trillion during the period under review.
On export trade facilitation, the NCS reported that activities at the Lilypond Export Command generated an export value of $752.85 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared with $586.15 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
The report described the performance as an increase of approximately 22.14 per cent, highlighting the growing contribution of the export sector and the impact of measures introduced to facilitate non-oil exports.
Beyond trade facilitation, the Service sustained its enforcement operations, recording seizures of prohibited and restricted items with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding ₦8.1 billion.
The intercepted items included illicit drugs, pharmaceutical products, prohibited goods and petroleum products. The Service said it continued to collaborate with relevant regulatory and security agencies to ensure the proper handling and disposition of seized items.
On its anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) responsibilities, the NCS highlighted the ongoing World Customs Organisation (WCO) Mentoring Mission, which commenced on October 19, 2026.
The four-week engagement, scheduled to run until November 13, is designed to strengthen the capacity of Customs officers to identify, investigate and address trade-based money laundering and other illicit financial activities associated with cross-border trade.
As part of the initiative, the Service engaged six relevant agencies between October 27 and 29, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The NCS also highlighted its transition to an electronic currency declaration platform, describing the initiative as part of efforts to improve transparency, strengthen monitoring and enhance the detection of illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.
The briefing further highlighted the Service’s contribution to environmental and wildlife protection.
During the period under review, six live pangolins were rescued in separate operations in Ogun State. Three were intercepted by the Ogun I Area Command, while another three were rescued by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A.
The animals were subsequently handed over to the Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for appropriate care and rehabilitation, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
