Prolonged insecurity in parts of the northwest region is forcing customs units to scale back operations and is denting revenue collection, a senior Nigeria Customs official has said.
Assistant Comptroller-General and Zone B coordinator Nsikak Umoh made the comments during an inspection of the Niger/Kogi Area Command headquarters and a meeting with vehicle importers in Minna.
The zone covers Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states, all of which, she said, are experiencing heightened security threats that have put personnel at risk.
“The security challenge is not peculiar to only Niger/Kogi Area Command,” Ms. Umoh said.
“A whole of North‑West…are facing the same security challenge.”
She added that officers have been killed or wounded while carrying out duties, and others have suffered stress‑related illnesses, including hypertension.
Those conditions, she said, have prompted some commands to curtail activities or adopt more cautious operating postures — measures that have reduced revenue flows.
“We are trying our best to encourage them to use an intelligence‑based operating system,” Ms. Umoh said, describing efforts to balance officer safety with continued customs enforcement.
Despite the broader strain, the Niger/Kogi command has exceeded its monthly target, she said.
The unit surpassed a N17 million goal, collecting more than N200 million as of Aug. 12 — a performance Ms Umoh attributed to the efforts of officers and local stakeholders operating under difficult circumstances.
Ms. Umoh urged continued use of intelligence‑led approaches to minimize risk while sustaining legitimate revenue collection across the zone.
