Alumanah talks tough as he takes over from Kaila as Seme Customs Controller

... Warns officers against misconduct, revenue leakages

Deputy Comptroller Olisa Alumanah has taken over as Acting Controller, Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), warning officers against misconduct, abuse of office, revenue leakages, unnecessary delays and intimidation of stakeholders.

Alumanah gave the warning on Wednesday, while assuming leadership of the command from Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG).

The new Acting Controller declared that his administration would not tolerate indiscipline, compromise or any practice capable of undermining revenue generation and the mandate of the Service.

He said his priorities would include improved revenue collection, trade facilitation, intelligence-led enforcement, discipline, professionalism and stronger collaboration with stakeholders.

Alumanah charged officers to ensure that all legitimate revenue due to the Federal Government was collected, while blocking revenue leakages, preventing undervaluation and enforcing strict compliance with export regulations.

“Let me emphasise that there will be no room for any compromise, negligence or practice capable of short-changing the government. Our focus must remain on revenue generation, transparency and accountability,” Alumanah said.

On trade facilitation, he warned officers against unnecessary delays, intimidation and unauthorised demands in their dealings with traders, licensed Customs agents and other stakeholders.

He stressed that the responsibility of Customs officers went beyond revenue collection and enforcement to facilitating legitimate economic activities and contributing to national prosperity.

Alumanah also warned that rank, position and personal relationships would not exempt any officer from accountability, insisting that discipline and professional conduct must remain the foundation of the command.

‎The Acting Controller further called for stronger teamwork and collective responsibility, urging officers to put the interests of the Service above personal interests and work together towards achieving the command’s objectives.

‎He also emphasised the need for sustained collaboration with sister government agencies, border communities, transport operators, licensed Customs agents, importers and exporters.

‎He, however, cautioned that collaboration must not translate into compromise or the sacrifice of the Service’s mandate for personal interests.

Alumanah urged officers to seek clarification whenever operational instructions or decisions were unclear.

“I will always stand by officers who perform their duties honestly and professionally, but I will not shield anyone who deliberately engages in unlawful conduct,” he said.

He also charged personnel to embrace modernisation, technology, innovation and continuous professional development to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

‎While appreciating the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him, Alumanah pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor and deliver measurable results.

“I have not come here to work against anyone. I have come to work with you. I will provide professional leadership, and together we will move this Command forward,” he said.

‎Earlier, the outgoing Controller, ACG Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed that the command generated over N27 billion between March and October 2026, compared with N8 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

He said the performance represented an increase of about N19 billion, equivalent to approximately 233 per cent growth.

Kaila, who assumed duty at the command on March 18, 2026, attributed the achievement to improved compliance, effective monitoring of trade activities, intelligence gathering, stronger operational coordination and the commitment of officers.

‎He also disclosed that the command recorded significant seizures of illicit drugs and prohibited goods during his seven-month stewardship through intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated enforcement operations.

The outgoing ACG expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General for his elevation and appointment into the management of the Service, while commending officers, sister agencies, traditional institutions and stakeholders for their cooperation throughout his tenure.

‎“As I take my leave, I passionately appeal to all heads and representatives of our sister agencies to extend the same spirit of cooperation, understanding and mutual support to my successor. The existing synergy must not only be sustained but strengthened,” he said.

‎In their seperate goodwill messages, representatives of sister government agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Port Health Services, Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), the Head of Benin Customs, as well as chapter chairmen commended Kaila’s leadership style.

‎They described him as a humble leader, a peace-maker and an embodiment of hard work, whose collaborative approach strengthened relationships among agencies and stakeholders.

They pledged to extend the same level of cooperation and support given to Kaila to the new Acting Controller, expressing confidence in his ability to sustain the achievements and further improve the command.