NCS: Alumanah takes over at Seme as Kaila elevated to ACG, Command revenue surges 233%
Maureen Aguta
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has witnessed a change of leadership following the elevation of its former Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, to the rank of Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, with Deputy Comptroller Olisa Alumanah assuming duty as the new Acting Customs Area Controller.
The leadership transition, which took place on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, marked the end of Kaila’s approximately eight-month tenure at the border command, during which the command recorded significant growth in revenue generation and intensified its anti-smuggling operations.
In a statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, a Superintendent of Customs John Tunde Ayagbalo, said the outgoing controller expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him and the opportunity to serve in a higher capacity.
Reflecting on his achievements, Kaila disclosed that the command generated over ₦27 billion in revenue between March and October 2026, compared with ₦8 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
The performance represents an increase of ₦19 billion, translating to an impressive 233 per cent growth in revenue collection.
He attributed the revenue growth and successes recorded in the fight against smuggling to intelligence-led operations, effective processing and timely sharing of actionable information, improved surveillance and the collective determination of officers to prevent Seme from becoming a safe passage for economic saboteurs.
The newly elevated Acting Assistant Comptroller-General also expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for His mercy and guidance throughout his tenure, while acknowledging the support and leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
He urged officers and men of the command to sustain their commitment to the Service by upholding discipline, loyalty, unity, integrity, accountability and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Taking over the command, Deputy Comptroller Alumanah pledged to consolidate on the achievements recorded by his predecessor and take the command to greater heights.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management of the Service for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the strategic border command.
Alumanah also acknowledged Kaila’s contributions, noting that his tenure witnessed remarkable revenue growth, stronger intelligence collaboration, intensified anti-smuggling operations and efforts to combat other forms of cross-border criminality.
He further commended the outgoing controller for strengthening discipline, professionalism and operational stability within the command.
Outlining his administration’s priorities, the new Acting Customs Area Controller described Seme as a strategic component of Nigeria’s border management architecture, stressing the need for effective leadership, operational efficiency and cooperation among officers and relevant stakeholders.
He identified seven key pillars that would guide his administration: revenue collection; facilitation of legitimate trade; discipline, integrity and professional conduct; cooperation, teamwork and collective responsibility; collaboration with stakeholders and sister agencies; avoidance of unnecessary problems on the job; and modernisation, innovation and adherence to global best practices.
In his remarks, the Head of Benin Customs and Co-Chair of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, Colonel Mekoun Parfait, congratulated Kaila on his elevation to the rank of Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs.
Parfait described Kaila’s elevation, less than a year after assuming duty at Seme, as a reflection of the confidence reposed in his experience, competence and professionalism.
The event ended with an expression of appreciation by the outgoing controller to officers, stakeholders and other partners for their support during his tenure.
In his inaugural address, Alumanah reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining and consolidating the gains recorded by the command, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and improving operational efficiency.
He said his administration would be anchored on discipline, teamwork, professionalism and improved service delivery.