Murtala Mohammed Area Command Tightens Cargo Ethics
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Mohammed Area Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding strict ethical standards in cargo processing and ensuring that all import duties are fully paid before goods are cleared from the airport.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, made this known during a courtesy visit by executives of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN). He emphasized that all items imported into the country are individually waybilled and properly captured in the NCS database, contrary to attempts by some clearing agents to present them collectively during inspection.
According to him, some agents deliberately group multiple items together to conceal undeclared goods while declaring only a few. He noted that the Service’s automated system detects such discrepancies, and any improperly cleared cargo attracts sanctions, including penalties for terminal operators involved.
On revenue performance, Comptroller Otunla disclosed that within barely two months in office, the Command recorded a significant increase in monthly revenue—from ₦16.67 billion in January 2025 to ₦23.41 billion in January 2026. He attributed the achievement to his experience across various Customs formations and the dedication of officers he met on ground.
Reflecting on his previous posting at the Ogun I Command, Otunla described his seven-month tenure as peaceful, noting that the Command made notable anti-smuggling seizures without casualties.
In his closing remarks, he urged the trading public to view the NCS as a partner in trade facilitation rather than an adversary. He also advised buyers to verify that goods, especially imported items, have been properly cleared through Customs before purchase.
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