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Nigeria Customs Acquires Aircraft to Strengthen Air Operations

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2 years ago

October 7, 2024

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the acquisition of a Cessna Grand Caravan EX-208B aircraft for strengthening its surveillance activities.

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr. Bashir Adeniyi, inspected the newly acquired aircraft on Friday in Bartlesville, Washington, USA, marking a pivotal moment for NCS’ air wing operations.

In a statement, customs’ National Public Relations Officer, NCS Abdullahi Maiwada, stated that the aircraft, registered as 5N-BAA, was set to enhance the service’s air patrol and surveillance efforts.Powered by the reliable PT6 Pratt and Whitney engine, the Cessna Grand Caravan is globally recognised for its rugged versatility, short-field take-off and landing capabilities, and ability to operate on remote airstrips—making it ideally suited for border security operations in Nigeria.

Adeniyi emphasised the importance of the acquisition, stating that the aircraft is fitted with modern Garmin G1000 Avionics cockpit system, enabling operations under day, night, and low-visibility conditions.

He said, “This aircraft will be a game-changer for the Nigeria Customs Service’s air wing. Its ability to carry 10 officers, coupled with its six-hour aerial endurance, will significantly enhance our capacity for air surveillance and border patrol.

”The aircraft is expected to play a crucial role in air patrols aimed at detecting smuggling routes, deploying armed personnel, and providing swift support for ground operations.

The CGC said, “With this aircraft, we will strengthen our air border patrol capabilities, which will not only help us intercept illegal activities but also provide quick extraction support when necessary.

”He said the aircraft’s mission aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Adeniyi said the aircraft will also serve as a strategic asset for Nigeria Customs Technical and Hangar Services Limited, offering logistical support and revenue generation for the service.

Adeniyi underscored the cost-efficiency of the aircraft, stating that its operational costs are relatively low compared to other aircraft in its class.

He said , “This is a long-term investment for the service that not only enhances our operational efficiency but also contributes to the sustainability of our air surveillance programs.

”Aircraft Operations Coordinator and Managing Director of Nigeria Customs Technical and Hangar Services, Capt. Kuhi Mbaya, hailed the acquisition as a milestone for NCS’s aviation unit.

Mbaya said, “With this aircraft, the Nigeria Customs Service is poised to revitalise its air border patrol activities, securing our borders more effectively and improving revenue generation for both the service and the nation.

”The statement added, “The acquisition of the Cessna Grand Caravan is expected to provide significant tactical advantages to the Nigeria Customs Service, tightening border security, and sending a clear signal to economic saboteurs that the service is better equipped than ever to combat smuggling activities.”

Related Topics:Featured Nigeria Customs Smuggling Surveillance aircraft

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Cardoso Urges Banks To Lend Out Idle Funds With CBN * Retains MPR at 26.5%

Cardoso made the call on Tuesday after the 306th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held in Abuja from July 20 to July 21.

Published

4 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso , urged banks from keeping idle funds with the apex bank and encouraging increased lending into the economy.

Cardoso made the call on Tuesday after the 306th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held in Abuja from July 20 to July 21.

The apex bank retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), also known as benchmark interest rate, at 26. 5 percent.

This decision marks the second consecutive retention of the MPR at 26.5 per cent, following a 50-basis-point reduction in February from 27 per cent.

“The committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stand follows a thorough assessment of the balance of risk,” said Cardoso.

He emphasised that although headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

The MPC also adjusted the asymmetric facilities corridor around the MPR to +50/-450 basis points—a move aimed at discouraging banks from keeping idle fund with CBN.

Furthermore, the committee maintained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) for commercial banks at 45 per cent, retained the rate for merchant banks at 16 per cent, and kept the CRR on non-TSA public-sector deposits at 75 per cent for liquidity management considerations.

Cardoso said despite the global uncertainties, the Nigerian economy has “remained largely resilient to the external shocks”.

Business

CBN admits it opened domiciliary accounts for PFIPC agency

Represented by the Director of its Banking Services Department, Hamisu Ibrahim, the CBN said that the accounts are one in US dollars, the other in British pounds sterling, were opened following a mandate received from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Published

13 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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File photo : PFIPC agency DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi

The Central Bank of Nigeria had admitted that it opened two foreign-currency domiciliary accounts for the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The apex bank made the confirmation, yesterday, during the public hearing convened at the National Assembly Complex by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the existence and operations of the PFIPC, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi and inaugurated by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

He explained that on July 30, 2025, CBN received a mandate dated July 29, 2025 from the Office of the Accountant-General.

“We received the mandate to authorise two accounts, one a US dollar domiciliary account, the other a pound domiciliary account, for the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council,” Ibrahim told the committee.

He explained the CBN’s verification process, “The process of opening an account requires a mandate from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

“Once we receive that mandate, we perform all the necessary verifications to confirm that this mandate is actually coming from that office.

The department that handles the mandate is different from the department that actually does the account opening,” he said.

Nevertheless, he noted that no one came to activate the accounts after they were opened.“We did not receive any correspondence, mandate, signature or mandate cards. We were not introduced to the authorising or approving officers.“Based on that, those accounts remain inactive, with zero balance. There have been no foreign exchange allocations.