Customs seized 51 cars worth N1.2 billion in five months

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said it seized 51 smuggled motor vehicles with a Customs Paid Value (DPV) of N1.18 billion between January and May 2026 as part of ongoing anti-smuggling operations across the country.

According to seizure statistics released by the Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection Department’s Statistics and Confiscation Unit, Customs recorded 56 seizure cases involving vehicles over a five-month period.

Data shows that the vehicles seized had a combined Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of N990.95 million, while the total duties assessed amounted to N193.77 million, bringing the overall Value of Duties Paid to N1.184 billion.

According to Customs, February recorded the highest number of seizures, with 20 vehicles intercepted in 21 seizure operations, followed by January with 11 vehicles seized in 15 operations. In April there were also recorded 11 vehicles confiscated, while in March and May there were seven and two vehicles recorded.

Meanwhile, the President of the National Association of Motorcycle Dealers (NAMD), Prince Ajibola, said the recent reduction in vehicle import duties by the Federal Government will help curb smuggling by narrowing the price gap between vehicles imported legally and those brought into the country illegally.

According to him, the reduction in import levies is a positive development that will benefit consumers and encourage greater compliance with customs regulations.

“One of the main things that makes people think about smuggling is the high cost of cleaning vehicles

“If a vehicle worth about N10 million incurs a clearing fee of about N2.7 million, while someone smuggling the same vehicle can sell it for between N8.5 million to N9 million, buyers will naturally be tempted to choose the cheaper option,” he said.

Ajibola noted that lowering clearance costs would make legally imported vehicles more competitive and reduce incentives for smuggling.

“The lower the clearing bill, the less smuggling. That’s the point of this act,” he added.