Nigeria Customs Concludes 2025 Recruitment Exercise, Almost 3,000 Candidates screened

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, with shortlisted candidates completing documentation, physical fitness assessments, and medical screenings at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
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The two-week exercise, which commenced on Monday, 7 September 2026, ended on Saturday, 19 September 2026, covering candidates across the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres. The screening was conducted in batches to ensure an orderly process and reduce congestion at the centre.

Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said measures had been implemented to address gaps identified during the earlier phase, improve the screening process, and ensure greater efficiency.

“We have put measures in place to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother process this week. The gaps identified last week have been addressed, and we do not expect them to recur this week,” Onyeka stated, while emphasising the importance of discipline and responsibility among candidates.

Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the coordinating team, Adamu Musa, stated that the exercise had recorded significant improvements, with close to 3,000 candidates screened so far without any casualty. He attributed the progress to the introduction of personalised screening forms containing candidates’ records across the various assessment stages.

“Any candidate that has been shortlisted has a form designed especially for him, unlike in the past where you come, they issue you a form, and then some people along the way go and even change some of the records. These forms come with the candidates’ records, including their names and details for sports, medical, documentation, and the checklist of required items. So, once the candidate comes, you just verify what you already have from the system,” Musa explained.

Musa stressed the importance of continuous manpower development to strengthen the Service’s capacity to meet its evolving responsibilities in national security, border protection, and other services to the nation. He said the growing demands on Customs underscore the need to continually improve its workforce.

Customs

He further disclosed that candidates would be evaluated based on criteria set by the Service, including age, physical fitness, and drug screening. He explained that candidates who test positive for hard drugs, exceed the stipulated age limit, or have physical conditions that may affect their duties could be disqualified, subject to management’s final decision.

Musa also advised candidates and members of the public to verify recruitment information through the Service’s official website and verified social media platforms to avoid fraudulent messages.
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Navy Uncovers 182,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers Community

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 182,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in Bethel Creeks, Rivers State, in another major disruption of illicit crude oil storage and transfer activities within the area.
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The discovery was made by FOB BONNY on 22 September 2026 during a follow-up operation based on actionable information concerning suspicious activities around the creeks. The operation uncovered 8 dugout pits, 5 of which contained the suspected stolen crude oil, while 3 were empty. Hoses associated with the movement of crude oil were also discovered and subsequently handled in accordance with established procedures.

The latest discovery comes barely two weeks after FOB BONNY uncovered approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at 4 newly activated illegal refining sites around Aworkiri on 8 September 2026. The earlier operation also exposed 19 dugout pits and associated infrastructure, indicating attempts to establish facilities for the storage and handling of stolen crude oil.

The successive discoveries highlight the Nigerian Navy’s expanding focus on denying criminal operators the storage and transfer infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft, rather than allowing illicit activities to become re-established after previous disruptions.

Navy

The latest operation further constrains the availability of crude oil and supporting infrastructure for illegal exploitation within the area.

ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO

Navy Captain Director Naval Information Nigerian Navy
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Works Minister Umahi Urges South-East Leaders to Highlight Tinubu’s Achievements

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), cannot win the 2027 presidential election.
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Umahi made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on its nationwide inspection of federal roads.

The minister urged political leaders in the South-East to educate residents about what he described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the region.

According to Umahi, increased awareness among the people would reduce support for Obi.
“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027.

“It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos.”

Umahi also backed Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, over his support for President Tinubu, saying individuals should be free to express their political preferences.

“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.

The minister further maintained that the Federal Government had demonstrated its inclusion of the South-East through appointments and infrastructure projects.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” Umahi said.

Speaking on infrastructure development, he stressed the importance of roads and bridges to economic growth.
On the financing of major projects, Umahi said the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the required funding, while the remaining amount would come through loans to be repaid from toll revenue.
He also expressed concern over vandalism and reckless driving along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Umahi

According to him, some people had been removing materials used for road demarcation and manhole covers, while some motorists were driving at excessive speeds.

Earlier, NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the association’s North-West road tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
He said the students inspected several federal roads, including the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads.
According to Afeez, the roads connect more than 10 tertiary institutions.

He said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed during the inspection but recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve students’ safety.
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