SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  ​The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has moved to deepen the Senate’s understanding of its ongoing digital transformation and operational reforms, urging lawmakers to review its legal framework to align Nigeria’s trade laws with rapidly evolving global practices. ​Speaking at a capacity-building retreat organised for the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs on 5 August 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, stated that meaningful legislative oversight depends on lawmakers having a complete understanding of modern customs operations. He explained that the retreat was designed to bridge information gaps, enabling the Senate committee to evaluate the Service’s transformation from an informed perspective and provide the statutory backing needed to sustain its modernisation drive. "While some provisions had worked as intended, others had proved difficult to apply or had been overtaken by the rapidly changing trade...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its security operations with the interception of a container concealing parts of over 140 pump-action rifles and the seizure of cannabis-infused products worth over ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command.  Announcing the seizure at Tincan Island Port, Lagos on Thursday, 6 August 2026, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the container, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on 8 July 2026, was flagged by the Service's intelligence-driven risk management system for enhanced monitoring.  A thorough examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.  The CGC added that investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked. In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers co...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, dismantling two illegal refining sites and recovering about 85,300 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil in Rivers State. The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni area of Rivers State, resulted in the discovery and deactivation of two illegal refining sites linked to ongoing crude oil theft activities. According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said personnel uncovered approximately 85,300 litres of suspected stolen crude oil concealed in dugout pits and reservoirs during the operation. The latest development comes only days after security operatives uncovered and deactivated similar illegal refining facilities within the same area, indicating continued efforts by oil thieves to revive illicit operations despite intensified securi...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has attributed the agency's strong revenue performance to sustained institutional reforms and modernisation efforts rather than prevailing economic conditions or currency fluctuations, while calling for stronger legislative backing to sustain the transformation agenda. Adeniyi made the remarks at the opening of a two-day retreat for the Senate Committee on Customs with the theme, "Legislative Oversight in the Context of Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation and Reforms." He said the Service's achievements stem from deliberate reforms designed to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability. According to him, the NCS generated N7.277 trillion in revenue in 2025, surpassing its annual target by 10.24 per cent. Between January and May 2026, the Service also recorded N3.35 trillion in revenue. He cautioned against attributing the revenue increase sole...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the private sector to enhance logistics support, improve fleet sustainment and boost operational efficiency. The COAS made the commitment on Tuesday while receiving the executive management of Elizade Nigeria Limited during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, Lieutenant General Shaibu described a reliable and mission-ready vehicle fleet as critical to sustaining combat effectiveness, facilitating rapid troop deployment and enhancing the Army's capacity to respond to emerging security challenges across the country. He said strategic collaboration with the private sector remains a key force multiplier in strengthening the Army's capabilities in fleet management, equipment maintenance, technical s...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for deeper collaboration between the Nigerian Army and indigenous defence manufacturers to strengthen national security, accelerate military modernisation and enhance Nigeria's defence industrial capacity. The COAS made the call on Tuesday while receiving the Group Managing Director of Proforce Group, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated Proforce Group on its remarkable growth and international recognition since its establishment in 2008, describing the company as "an institution that elicits national pride" and a reflection of Nigeria's growing defence manufacturing capability. He stressed that increased patronage of indigenous defence companies would not only improve the Nigerian Army's operational effectiveness but also drive local innovation, create ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of Sector 7, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have intercepted suspected arms traffickers and recovered a cache of illegal weapons during an intelligence-led operation in Kaduna State. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Monday, July 13, 2026, followed credible intelligence indicating that a consignment of illicit weapons was being transported from Jos, Plateau State, to Niger State. According to the Nigerian Army, troops mounted a targeted stop-and-search operation at the Samaru Checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, where they intercepted an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz suspected to be conveying the weapons. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and four submachine guns (SMGs), which were carefully concealed inside the vehicle. During the operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to flee arrest and was shot while trying to escape. The suspect was immediately evacuated to ...