Maritime Agencies
HUGE IRONY: Nigerians Battle Hunger, Seme Customs Confiscates Beans For Export.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has once again reminded Nigerians that the Customs Act 2023 forbids illegal exportation of grains or any other food item as any activity that contravenes this provision especially in the face of crushing hunger attracts stiff sanctions.
Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme-Krake Joint Border Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi reiterated this,Tuesday, while showcasing 400 bags of intercepted beans whose networth value is N61.45million billed for illegal exportation from Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.
He recalled that as per Federal Government’s stand on this, “we need to ensure that what is being produced locally stayed within the country before we export. The new Customs Act says grains can’t be moved out of the country and when it’s done, there is a procedure which includes NXP, CCI, among others. When that is not done, any attempt to do it illegally will face the wrath of the law,” he emphasized.
“The current market price for beans is put at N120,000 or so per bag. So, if we use that as the Duty Paid Value (DPV), then we will be talking about over N61 million worth of beans. By the time we go to the market, we will be discounting for selling these and it will be sold to the members of the public at a considerably reduced price.”
The Command also showcased a total of 400 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), an equivalent of 12,000 litres with a DPV of N8,347,680. These were intercepted along the creeks on March 2, 2024.
Acting on credible intelligence, the CAC explained, the Command was swift in deploying gallant officers to the creeks to monitor real time, attempts to move those items by boat with the aim to intercept and recover the illicit products.
“They were actually being brought in in large sacks. So, we have to move them and bring them here and of course, put them back into kegs that will make them stable. We know that because of the nature of petroleum products, it’s not something that we can warehouse over a long period of time. Very shortly, we’ll start auctioning these items to members of the public, some of whom I see hanging around.
“When the auctioning takes place, the money will be paid into the coffers of the Federal Government just to account for the sale of these items.”
Bomodi regretted the challenge of tackling smugglers on water.
“Anytime they are tackled on land, they have the tendency to move to the water. We have limited capabilities on water. Even though there are resources that are there but you are talking about a very wide body of water. You are not just talking about the creeks, you are talking about the whole Atlantic and it is often difficult. But we are still ready to put all the resources we have at our disposal to ensure that practices of this nature are discouraged and discontinued.”
The CAC gave thumbs-up to leaders within the Badagry area for showing exemplary conduct.
“They have managed to create a buffer for us – the agencies of government – and the communities by explaining to them what the intentions of the government are and how they should, indeed, make efforts to cooperate with us to see that these items that pose a threat and danger to Nigeria and Nigerians do not either leave the country or come in.”
Reacting to concerns on the possibility of the smugglers fighting back as the illegal products are being evacuated, Bomodi said it is natural.
“It’s a normal practice. Anytime you have to evacuate products either PMS, rice or any other thing, there’s a threat and we are not just talking about those that are actively involved in it. Sometimes, we have certain communities that present hostile faces to us.
On the confiscated bags of beans, Comptroller Timi Bomodi disclosed that they are safe in government warehouse and would be sold to the public at a discounted rate.
Once the Customs Headquarters approves, he assured, the items would be moved to the market for sale at discounted price.
“Ordinarily, these things shouldn’t be leaving the country when we have food crisis in the country. We must ensure that that which is being produced within Nigeria is used up within Nigeria.”
“The citizens of this country come first and the government of the day is prioritizing the needs of the people and that is why the Nigeria Customs Service has undertaken this bold step to make this arrest and to ensure that these goods eventually end up at the market places where they will be distributed to Nigerians at a cost that is affordable”.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is ever committed to sustain and even surpass the current zeal with which it is prosecuting enhanced revenue generation, trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder collaboration because every legitimate revenue collected strengthens government’s capacity to deliver on its development priorities and improve the lives of Nigerians.
The Command’s image maker, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isa Suleiman Ibrahim disclosed this in a press release on behalf of the Customs Area Command Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba.
The release disclosed a historic revenue collection of Twenty-Eight Billion,One Hundred and Two Million, Nine Hundred and Fourteen Naira, Sixty-One Kobo (₦28,102,000,914.61k) on Tuesday, 18th August, 2026, the highest single-day revenue collection ever recorded by the Command.
The feat, the release indicated, surpasses the previous daily record of ₦20.1 billion, achieved in September 2025, shortly after the assumption of office of the present Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba.
The new record is achieved weeks after the Command recorded an unprecedented ₦323 billion monthly revenue collection in July 2026, thus demonstrating the sustained impact of reforms, improved compliance, enhanced trade facilitation, intelligence-driven interventions and the increasing efficiency of digital Customs processes.
Commenting on the feat, Comptroller Oshoba stressed that the achievement is not simply about figures or records. It is about what the Nigeria Customs Service is contributing to the economic wellbeing of Nigerians.
Revenue generated by the Service, he explained, forms part of government resources used to fund public priorities including infrastructure, security, education, healthcare and other services that ultimately impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He therefore dedicated the milestone to the Government and people of Nigeria, while commending the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team of the Service for their continued support for modernisation, automation and reforms aimed at making Customs operations more efficient, transparent and business-friendly.
The CAC also acknowledged the cooperation of compliant importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents and other stakeholders, as well as patriotic Nigerians who have provided actionable intelligence in achieving this feat.
He stressed that every compliant transaction contributes to national development and urged stakeholders to continue supporting legitimate trade since a stronger revenue base gives the government greater capacity to respond to the needs of the people and create an environment where businesses can thrive.
Comptroller Oshoba charged officers and men of the Command to see the record as a clarion call to do more.
He emphasised that revenue collection must be achieved alongside trade facilitation, professionalism, transparency and respect for stakeholders, directing personnel to resolve legitimate disputes promptly and ensure that Customs procedures do not unnecessarily hinder lawful businesses.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As the political space is heating up and preparations underway for the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated her firm determination to tighten the noose against the illegal entry of arms and ammunition which could promote violence in Nigeria.
DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd).
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi made the vow in Lagos, Monday, while handing over seized weapons to the Office of the National Security Adviser through the Director-General, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, (NCCSALW), Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd).
Identifying Robert Eze and Ejiogu Godson as the alleged importers of a consignment containing 399 fully assembled JoJeF pump-action rifles and other firearm components intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, the Custom boss said surveillance and enforcement operations are being intensified to prevent criminal networks from exploiting Nigeria’s land borders, seaports and airports to import dangerous arms to further their evil intentions.
The two persons arrested.
Additional rifle parts intercepted by the Customs include 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles and 39 pistol-grip screws. Others are 34 springs, 57 trigger groups, 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips/handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.
“We are about entering a major election cycle, and we know that by this period, men of the underworld will want to use our borders, our ports, our airports to bring in items like this,” CGC Adeniyi warned.
”We are going to redouble our efforts to ensure that we do not allow them to do so,” he added.
He explained that since Customs cannot physically open every container entering the country, applying technology-driven risk profiling in operations has become a tool to identify suspicious consignments. Risk management system enables the Service to determine which containers require physical examination. This particular interception, he explained, demonstrates the effectiveness of the system.
Having completed the inventory and assessment of the illicit shipment, the CGC handed over the seized armaments to the Director General of the NCCSALW. This underscores a unified inter-agency commitment to taking dangerous weapons entirely off the streets and ensuring that cabals behind the trafficking network are tracked down and brought to justice.
The CGC described the development as more than a seizure, noting that the interception, investigation, arrest of suspects, prosecution and handover of the firearms represented a complete enforcement chain.
He added that Robert Eze and Godson Ejiogu, the two suspects arrested during the preliminary investigation, had been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos, awaiting arraignment for August 25.
The Service, he pledged, would continue to strengthen intelligence – gathering, risk management and collaboration with sister security agencies to identify and disrupt attempts to smuggle firearms into Nigeria.
Accepting the arms and ammunition for further action, the NCCSALW Director-General, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) described the handing-over as a decisive step in strengthening the collective security of the people.
”This is more than a ceremonial handing/taking over of seized intercepted illicit weapons. It is a statement of intent, a commitment to protect lives, uphold justice and preserve the stability of our communities.”
The proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons, he explained, remains a primary catalyst for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and insurgency and other violent crimes.
”Armed violence fuelled by uncontrolled weapons through illegal importation or smuggling exerts a devastating toll on civilian lives, disrupts communities and undermines the foundation of governance and development. Nigeria cannot be indifferent to this reality. Our own assessment has shown with discomforting clarity that a significant proportion of illegal arms in circulation may have at some point passed through official channels.”
DIG Kokumo reiterated that illicit weapons taken out of the hands of nonstate actors is a direct blow to criminal networks and a vital step towards safeguarding innocent citizens.
”So far, over 21000 arms and light weapons have been retrieved while over 19000 have been destroyed since the establishment of NCCSALW.”
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, will be the keynote speaker at the 2026 edition of the Maritime Annual Maritime Lecture, (MAMAL).
The flagship annual programme being hosted by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) takes place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, No. 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Time is 10am.
MAMAL is MARAN’s flagship programme which brings together key government officials, maritime industry regulators, academics, shipping magnates, freight forwarders, journalists and other critical stakeholders in the maritime sector to deliberate on issues affecting the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The theme of this year’s lecture is “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
The Executive Director, Technical, of TANTITA Security Services Limited, Captain Warredi Enisuoh will serve as the Chairman of MAMAL 2026, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, will be the Special Guest of Honour.
Speaking on the significance of the theme, MARAN President, Mr. Yinka Onigbinde, said the lecture would provide an important platform to examine the urgent need for modernisation of Nigerian ports and the benefits such modernisation would bring to the nation’s economy.
According to him, efficient and modern port infrastructure is critical to improving cargo handling, reducing delays and costs, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a competitive maritime hub.
Onigbinde said MAMAL 2026 would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in constructive discussions on port charges and other factors affecting the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
He described Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman as an experienced voice in the maritime sector whose wealth of knowledge and experience would add significant value to the discussions at the lecture.
The MARAN President also expressed the Association’s appreciation to Captain Warredi Enisuoh for accepting to chair the event, describing his experience in maritime security and industry development as an added value to the programme.
He noted that the presence of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as Special Guest of Honour further underscores the importance of the theme and the Federal Government’s efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for greater efficiency and competitiveness.
The MARAN President noted that the 2026 edition of MAMAL is the fourth in the series, underscoring the Association’s commitment to providing a credible platform for informed debate and professional engagement on critical maritime issues.
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