Maritime Agencies
WAR AGAINST KILLER DRUGS: Apapa Customs, NDLEA Collaborate To Nab Huge Quantity of ‘Canadian Loud’.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In her unwavering efforts to ensure that killer – drugs do not find entry into Nigeria, the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has, in liaison with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted a 347.5 kilograms of ‘Canadian Loud’ concealed in an imported Toyota Sienna car. The highly – valued substance is a potent strain of cannabis, ordinarily known as marijuana.
As stated in a press release by CSC Isah Suleiman, the Apapa Customs Command Public Relations Officer, the contraband hidden in 13 bags within one of four vehicles contained in a single consignment was discovered following a painstaking weighing exercise. A breakdown shows ten bags at 25kg each, one at 29kg, and two at 34.5kg and 34kg respectively, totaling 347.5kg.
This interception marks the fourth major joint drug bust by the Nigeria Customs, Apapa Command and the NDLEA in less than two months.
In his remarks, the Apapa Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba re-enacted his warning to criminal elements and their networks to keep off the Command as the Command is always ahead of them to exploit whatever antics they deploy to undermine national security via the ports.
“Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted. We remain vigilant and resolute in the discharge of our duty to protect our society and national security.”
He emphasized that under his watch, no cargo, whether import or export will pass through Apapa Port without thorough examination.
The operation also reflects the exemplary cooperation between Customs and NDLEA, championed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD. Intelligence sharing and joint tactical efforts have consistently outmaneuvered smuggling networks in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Oshoba credited this strengthened partnership for the success, noting that the upcoming deployment of a high-capacity drive-through scanner capable of processing 200 containers per hour will further revolutionize anti-smuggling operations.
Both agencies continue to operate under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that foster zero tolerance, professionalism, and seamless cooperation. In line with established protocols, the seized cannabis has been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects linked to the consignment.
This latest success builds on the recognition accorded to Comptroller Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander Mohammed Tukur, who were both awarded the WCO Certificate of Merit on January 26, 2026, in Abuja during the International Customs Day celebrations.
Oshoba further explained that the interception aligns with the 2026 ICD theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”
While Customs remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade, the CAC reaffirmed, it will intensify efforts to disrupt illicit activities and safeguard society.
Maritime Agencies
Ogun 1 Customs Repeats Stern Warning To Smugglers, Confiscates Latest Brand of Range Rover, Other Contrabands.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Acting Controller, Ogun Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has, for the umpteenth time, warned smugglers and people involved in sabotaging the economy to keep off the jurisdiction of the Command as dragnets in place will always catch them.
The Customs boss made the affirmation at Idiroko, Thursday, while unveiling a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 valued at N417, 011, 982 seized by the Command between August and September, 2026. Other seizures include 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 8675 litres of PMS, 3,893 parcels of cannabis indica weighing 1,878 tonnes and 428 pneumatic tyres. Others include 24 bales of second -hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel all with a combined Duty Paid (DPV) was N2.469 billion.
The seizures, Afeni explained, reflects the level of commitment of the Command to enforcing customs laws and protecting the country’s economic interests.
He said the Command’s anti-smuggling operations, intelligence-led enforcement and enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies had yielded tangible results in tackling illicit trade and strengthening border security across Ogun State.
Through her sustained anti-smuggling operations along the border corridors, he added, the Command had also intercepted substantial quantities of other prohibited goods .
The Acting Controller said the Command continues to maintain a firm balance between revenue generation and legitimate trade facilitation despite the current constraints she is grappling with.
It has never relented in diligent duty collection, baggage assessment and physical examinations at designated border points.
The Command also optimizes its import and export verification processes to facilitate compliant trade while maintaining regulatory oversight on sensitive goods, including mica stone, CNG, white talc and crushed thermal coal.
To tackle cross-border crime, Afeni explained, the Command has strong operational collaboration with sister security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA and environmental management agencies.
Flowing from this, the Command handed over 3,893 parcels of cannabis sativa seized during the period to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation.
To build mutual trust and reduce hostility during enforcement operations, the Command has also been engaging traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations.
Afeni said the Command’s responsibilities extended beyond customs enforcement to supporting community development and environmental stewardship.
He mentioned that the Command participated in inter-command athletic competitions in August and September, emerging as champions in volleyball.
Acting Controller Afeni hailed the unwavering dedication of his officers and men, as well as the massive support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the NCS management team.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Navy has warned that the unregulated deployment of unmanned vessels for maritime surveillance could pose serious security risks to the nation’s maritime domain. It has, therefore, called
for the development of an appropriate legal framework to regulate their use.
Rear Admiral Daniel Atapa of the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department made the call in Lagos while speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff at the Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEEK) 2026 hosted by Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd.
Rear Admiral Atapa said there was the need to harmonise the various maritime architectures under a single command to effectively curb the practice.
Even though each agency is at liberty to operate its own equipment and systems, Atapa noted, the issue of inter-agency rivalry and the harm it has brought to bear on the system often makes it difficult to harmonise the various maritime domain awareness assets for effective coordination and information-sharing.
“There are Maritime Domain Awareness assets with NIMASA, Navy, NPA and the rest. To the extent that there is no regulation or codified framework mandating their use or defining their modus operandi, each agency is at liberty to operate with what it has.
“Also, because of inter-agency rivalry which is silent and which we sometimes do not want to admit exists, it becomes difficult to harmonise these Maritime Domain Awareness assets. So, we continue to operate the way we do until there is a regulation that brings everybody together and says, ‘Come together and operate this way.’
“We still make do with what we have. But once there is a regulation, it will provide the framework for harmonising these assets and ensure better coordination among the agencies.
“On the presence of foreign vessels and navies in the Gulf of Benin, we need to understand that the Gulf is an open sea line of communication. Most of these foreign navies are from countries with significant shipping activities in the region.
“You cannot impose on any country that because our maritime domain is now safe; they should drive away their vessels. To the extent that they were there before the crisis, during the crisis and before the de-escalation, they still have the liberty to operate.
“We cannot tell them to leave the Gulf of Benin because that space is free and freedom of navigation is obtainable for everyone.
“On the unregulated use of unmanned vessels, as I recommended as part of my prescriptions for addressing the issue, there is currently no regulation, and so everybody operates and does what they deem appropriate.
“The implication is that, as long as there is no problem, everybody is fine. But once there is a problem, that will become the test case and demonstrate the need for regulation.”
Maritime Agencies
Nigeria Collaborates with Benin Republic to Launch Modernised Joint Customs Border Post.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
To deepen customs inter-connectivity, joint risk management, coordinated enforcement, secure infrastructure, harmonized procedures and accountable joint governance, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Benin Republic Customs has launched the transformation of the Seme-Krake Border Post into a modern technology-driven joint border post connecting Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Performing the historic transformation at the Seme-Krake Border Command, Friday, Comptroller -General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said without real time interconnectivity between the customs administration of Nigeria and Benin, the facility being inaugurated cannot achieve the purpose intended.
He noted that while physical infrastructure such as lanes, parking lots, offices, weigh bridge and scanner housing have long been completed, integrating them into the customs systems with the aid of technology need to be in place.
”Without inter-connectivity, this is not a joint border post. It is a border post sharing a car park at best,” Adeniyi stated.
Key features of the modernisation arrangement include
real-time data exchange where declarations lodged on one side will be visible on the other, enabling seamless transit tracking and shared enforcement alerts.
Another is trader support. This is a dedicated facility for women traders which will simplify procedures for small consignments, provide multilingual information and reduce harassment and extortion.
Enhanced security enables the restoration of scanning capability, strengthened access control, surveillance and lighting.
Joint governance deals with harmonised bilingual SOPs. This covers cargo, passengers, inspection and incident escalation alongside a standing Nigeria–Benin enforcement and intelligence mechanism.
Speaking at the event, Benin Customs Director-General, Col. Raouf Malehossou Aboudou described the initiative as commendable as it is critical and well -intentioned in efforts to recalibrate joint operations to facilitate trans-border trade in the current era.
The Seme Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, also pledged the Command’s commitment to supporting seamless trade across the corridor.
The launch event featured a facility inspection, demonstration of the border modernization solution and a symbolic football match between the Seme Area Command team and Badagry United Football Club. The Command carried the day with a 2–0 victory against their opponents.
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