The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it seized 51 smuggled motor vehicles with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.18 billion between January and May 2026 as part of its ongoing anti-smuggling operations across the country.
According to seizure statistics released by the Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection Department’s Enforcement Seizure and Statistics Unit, Customs recorded 56 seizure cases involving the vehicles during the five-month period.
The data showed that the seized vehicles had a combined Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of N990.95 million, while the total duty assessed amounted to N193.77 million, bringing the overall Duty Paid Value to N1.184 bil.
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. April also recorded 11 seized vehicles, while March and May accounted for seven and two vehicles.
Meanwhile, the President of the National Association of Motor Dealers (NAMD), Prince Ajibola, said the Federal Government’s recent reduction in vehicle import duties would help curb smuggling by narrowing the price gap between legally imported vehicles 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 major things that makes people think about smuggling is the high cost of clearing vehicles
“If a vehicle worth about N10 million attracts clearing charges of about N2.7 million, while someone who smuggled the same vehicle can sell it for between N8.5 million and N9 million, buyers are naturally tempted to go for the cheaper option,” he said.
Ajibola noted that lowering clearing costs would make legally imported vehicles more competitive and reduce the incentive for smuggling.
“The lower the clearing bills, the less smuggling. That is the essence of doing it,” he added.
(Ripples)