Kano Customs Comptroller Vows Relentless Fight Against Smugglers

The Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, has reaffirmed his uncompromising stance against smuggling, declaring that he will continue to confront smugglers even on his final day in service.

Abubakar made the declaration during a dinner and award ceremony organised by the stakeholders’ forum of Kano and Jigawa States to celebrate the command’s historic operational achievements under his leadership.

He reflected on how his policies were met with resistance when he assumed office but said stakeholders who initially opposed the reforms eventually embraced the command’s direction.

According to him, “When I assumed duty precisely on the 3rd of February 2025, everyone, no exception, no one believed in my policies. No one believed in my programs. Because what I brought to Kano is unpopular. Nobody wanted it. Nobody expected it. I’m standing here to celebrate the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi, who in his wisdom appointed me as Area Comptroller in charge of Kano-Jigawa Command. And directed that Kano is important to him, Kano is important to Nigeria and Kano is important to Nigerians… From crisis to trust.

“The same Abubakar that you told in February 2025… you said my policies, my decisions will be at the risk of my life. And I told you, I’m willing to die for customs, for Nigeria and for what I believe in.

“Today, I’m here standing alive… witnessing the transformation and achievement recorded by you, the business community.”

He praised the collective effort of officers in the command, saying many of those honoured at the ceremony were “more intelligent… more dedicated… more honest, and more sincere to their fatherland.”

Abubakar noted that the command had modernized customs processes and fully embraced compliance and innovation. “Modernization in Customs has come to stay. The old way of doing things is gone. It will never come back,” he said.

Issuing a stern warning, he added: “To my friends, the smugglers, if I am retired today, I see you, I will arrest you, I will forfeit your goods to the federal government of Nigeria, and I will take you to jail.”

Representing Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, the Commissioner for Commerce, Shehu Wada-Sagagi, commended the command’s achievements, especially the interception of illicit drugs, which he described as a major threat to families in the state.

He said Abubakar’s tenure had set a new standard for reforms and modern customs operations.

The command’s notable accomplishments included intercepting over $2 million in illegal foreign currencies, seizing 428 kilograms of pangolin scales, and confiscating various prohibited items. These successes were achieved through collaboration with the EFCC, NDLEA, NAFDAC, and NSCDC.

In revenue performance, the command generated ₦93.9 billion between January and October 2025 — a 10.1% increase. At the Kano Free Trade Zone, revenue surged from ₦2.6 billion in 2024 to ₦17.7 billion in 2025, representing an extraordinary 582.93% rise due to stronger oversight and improved trader compliance.

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