The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that insecurity is taking a toll on revenue collection as officers face increasing threats while carrying out their duties across parts of northern Nigeria.
Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator, Zone B, Kaduna, Nsikak Patrick Umoh, made this known during a visit to the Niger/Kogi Area Command headquarters in Minna, where she met with vehicle importers and discussed operational challenges facing the command.
Security fears disrupt Customs operations
Umoh said insecurity was not limited to the Niger/Kogi command, noting that Customs formations across the North-West, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara, were facing similar challenges.
She disclosed that some Customs personnel had been killed or injured, while others had been forced to reduce their activities because of concerns for their safety.
According to her, the situation has affected revenue collection in some commands as officers increasingly adopt cautious approaches to their operations.
She said the service was encouraging personnel to rely on intelligence-led operations to minimise risks while maintaining their responsibilities.
“The security challenge is not peculiar to only Niger/Kogi Area Command. A whole of North-West comprising Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara States… are facing the same security challenge,” Umoh said.
Officers also battling health challenges
The ACG said the prolonged security pressure was also affecting the wellbeing of Customs personnel.
She disclosed that some officers had reportedly developed hypertension due to the fear and stress associated with operating in dangerous environments.
Despite the difficulties, Umoh said the service remained committed to maintaining operations and protecting government revenue.
Niger/Kogi command records N200m revenue
Umoh said the Niger/Kogi Area Command had continued to perform strongly despite the challenging environment.
She disclosed that the command had surpassed its monthly revenue target of N17 million, generating more than N200 million as of August 12.
She praised the command for maintaining its revenue performance and urged officers to continue using intelligence-driven strategies to balance effective operations with personnel safety.
The Customs Service is expected to continue strengthening collaboration with security agencies as it seeks to protect its personnel, secure trade routes and improve revenue collection across
Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator, Zone B, Kaduna, Nsikak Patrick Umoh, made this known during a visit to the Niger/Kogi Area Command headquarters in Minna, where she met with vehicle importers and discussed operational challenges facing the command.
Security fears disrupt Customs operations
Umoh said insecurity was not limited to the Niger/Kogi command, noting that Customs formations across the North-West, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara, were facing similar challenges.
She disclosed that some Customs personnel had been killed or injured, while others had been forced to reduce their activities because of concerns for their safety.
According to her, the situation has affected revenue collection in some commands as officers increasingly adopt cautious approaches to their operations.
She said the service was encouraging personnel to rely on intelligence-led operations to minimise risks while maintaining their responsibilities.
“The security challenge is not peculiar to only Niger/Kogi Area Command. A whole of North-West comprising Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara States… are facing the same security challenge,” Umoh said.
Officers also battling health challenges
The ACG said the prolonged security pressure was also affecting the wellbeing of Customs personnel.
She disclosed that some officers had reportedly developed hypertension due to the fear and stress associated with operating in dangerous environments.
Despite the difficulties, Umoh said the service remained committed to maintaining operations and protecting government revenue.
Niger/Kogi command records N200m revenue
Umoh said the Niger/Kogi Area Command had continued to perform strongly despite the challenging environment.
She disclosed that the command had surpassed its monthly revenue target of N17 million, generating more than N200 million as of August 12.
She praised the command for maintaining its revenue performance and urged officers to continue using intelligence-driven strategies to balance effective operations with personnel safety.
The Customs Service is expected to continue strengthening collaboration with security agencies as it seeks to protect its personnel, secure trade routes and improve revenue collection across
