By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, aimed at strengthening compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices.

The workshop, which runs from June 1 to June 12, 2026, is taking place at the Service’s Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the mission as a significant step in advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and strengthening its capacity as a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration.

He noted that modern customs administrations increasingly rely on intelligence-led, risk-based, and post-clearance interventions that promote voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and economic growth.

According to him, the mission offers an opportunity to assess existing processes, identify operational gaps, adopt international best practices, and develop practical solutions to strengthen the Post Clearance Audit framework.

Olomu identified risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems as key areas of focus.

He emphasised that effective Post Clearance Audit enables Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a strategic compliance management approach that enhances revenue assurance, facilitates legitimate trade, strengthens transparency, and boosts public confidence.

The ACG commended the Comptroller-General for his commitment to modernisation and capacity building and also appreciated the World Bank and other development partners for their sustained support for Customs reforms.

He urged participants to actively engage throughout the programme and ensure that lessons learned are translated into measurable improvements in daily operations.

World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission is designed to strengthen the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through modern customs practices, practical audit tools, and internationally recognised methodologies.

He explained that participants would be exposed to global best practices, case management techniques, and compliance management strategies that can be adapted to Nigeria’s operational environment.

Kajubi stressed the importance of leveraging technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making to improve audit quality, compliance monitoring, and trade facilitation outcomes.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernisation objectives.

Lead Consultant for the ARMOR-P, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission seeks to enhance trade facilitation, optimise revenue, and improve compliance management through a more structured and unified approach to Post Clearance Audit.

He emphasised the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring mechanisms, and the integration of data analytics into audit processes to improve accountability and operational efficiency.

Dutt also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology-driven solutions such as the B’Odogwu platform and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support a competency-based audit system across the Service.

During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Muhammad Jubril, demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, explaining how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.

In his closing remarks, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the workshop and apply the knowledge gained to achieve the strategic objectives of the NCS.

More than 100 houses were destroyed and scores of families displaced after a devastating rainstorm ravaged Tom Gangare community in Sopp Ward of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday following a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds, also destroyed health facilities, places of worship and other critical infrastructure, leaving residents counting their losses.

A member of the community Bot Felix said property worth millions of naira was damaged during the incident, while many affected residents have been rendered homeless.

He said violent windstorms uprooted several trees, many of which fell on residential buildings, worsening the destruction across the community.

Also speaking on the development, a stakeholder in the community, Hon. Dung Danboyi, described the incident as tragic and appealed for urgent intervention from government and humanitarian agencies.

According to him, although no life was lost, the destruction has left many households without shelter and exposed victims to severe hardship.

“The level of destruction is overwhelming. Many families have lost their homes and means of livelihood. We are appealing to government agencies, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of our people during this difficult time,” he said.

Danboyi called on the Plateau State Government, the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, development partners and other stakeholders to provide immediate relief materials and support for affected residents.

Also speaking, the Councillor representing Sopp Ward, Hon. Gwong Ibrahim, urged relevant authorities to urgently intervene to cushion the impact of the disaster on victims.

He stressed the need for emergency relief assistance, noting that many affected families were struggling to secure temporary shelter and basic necessities.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Council, Hon. Sati Bature Shuwa, visited the community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathise with victims.

Addressing residents, Shuwa assured them that efforts would be made to facilitate assistance and support for those affected by the disaster.

He disclosed that a comprehensive assessment would be conducted to determine the extent of the losses and enable appropriate intervention by government and emergency management agencies.

Two people were killed, and about 10 houses were burnt in Ilesha Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Saturday, after a violent clash involving an Islamic scholar triggered mob attacks in the community.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, describing it as mob violence, arson and extrajudicial killings.

According to the police, the crisis began after an altercation between an Islamic scholar, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, and an unidentified Fulani man, during which both sustained machete injuries.

Both men were taken to hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.

“Investigations revealed that a violent altercation occurred between an unidentified Fulani man and an Islamic scholar, Alh Mohammed Ilyasu, during which both parties sustained severe machete injuries,” she said.

“They were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Sadly, Mohammed Ilyasu was confirmed dead on arrival, while the assailant also succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.”

The police said the deaths triggered reprisals by some youths, who stormed the hospital, took the corpse of the deceased assailant and set it ablaze.

“Rather than allowing the law to take its course, some irate youths reportedly stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the deceased assailant, and set it ablaze,” the spokesperson said.

She added that another passerby was attacked and set on fire during the violence.

“In a further display of lawlessness, the mob allegedly attacked another man passing through the area and set him on fire,” she said.

About 10 houses belonging to members of the Fulani community, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani, Alhaji Hassan, were also burnt.

Security operatives, including police and military personnel, were deployed to restore order, the command said.

Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the incident, describing the attacks as criminal and barbaric.

“The acts are criminal, barbaric, and a direct affront to the rule of law,” he said.

He added that investigations had begun and warned that those involved would be arrested and prosecuted.