The Nigeria Customs Service has raised concerns over the growing impact of insecurity on its operations and revenue collection, particularly across parts of northern Nigeria.
The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Nsikak Umoh, disclosed this in Minna, Niger State, during an inspection of the Niger/Kogi Area Command headquarters and a meeting with vehicle importers over challenges affecting their operations.
Umoh explained that the security situation was not limited to the Niger/Kogi Area Command, but had also affected Customs formations in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states.
“The security challenge is not peculiar to only Niger/Kogi Area Command. A whole of North-West comprising Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara States, which are all under my command, are facing the same security challenge,” she said.
She noted that Customs personnel were increasingly exposed to security threats while carrying out their statutory responsibilities, with some officers reportedly losing their lives or sustaining injuries.
According to her, the prevailing situation has compelled some commands to reduce the intensity of their operations and adopt more cautious approaches, with a corresponding effect on revenue collection.
Umoh said the service was therefore promoting intelligence-driven operations to enable officers carry out their duties while reducing their exposure to danger.
“But we are trying our best to encourage them to use an intelligence-based operating system to do their job, and that is why in most of the commands, we have a reduction in revenue collections,” she added.
The Customs chief also expressed concern about the effect of prolonged insecurity on the physical and mental wellbeing of officers.
She said the fear and pressure associated with working in volatile areas had contributed to health challenges among some personnel, including cases of hypertension.
Despite the difficulties, Umoh commended the Niger/Kogi Area Command for maintaining strong revenue performance.
She revealed that the command had exceeded its monthly revenue target of N17 million, recording more than N200 million in revenue as of August 12.
She attributed the achievement to the commitment of Customs personnel and the cooperation of stakeholders, praising them for sustaining revenue collection despite the challenging security environment.
