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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The new Acting Customs Area Controller,   Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi has harped on the importance of inter-agency collaboration as per the directive of the Comptroller -General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
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‎He stated this at the Lekki Port Command, Thursday, while handing over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) a seized container laden with 400 kilograms of suspected Cannabis Sativa.
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‎Acting on credible intelligence, he explained, officers of the Command under his watch intercepted the suspicious container with registration number PRSU1562064, which had arrived at Lekki Deep Sea Port and was, under the Customs transire procedure, destined for a bonded terminal outside the Command through the waterways by barge.
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‎“However, recognizing the potential security implications and the risks associated with allowing a suspicious consignment to leave the port environment, the Command took the proactive decision to step down the container for further scrutiny.
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‎“In line with established Customs procedures and our intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, the container was subjected to non-intrusive inspection through scanning. The scanning report revealed anomalies that necessitated a comprehensive physical examination.
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‎Following from this, a joint examination was conducted at Lekki Freeport Terminal by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), DC kukoyi explained.
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‎“During the examination, seven pallets of packaged goods were discovered. Upon opening and thoroughly examining the pallets, officers uncovered substances suspected to be illicit narcotics, ingeniously concealed among reams of A4 printing paper in an apparent attempt to evade Customs detection.”
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‎The comprehensive examination revealed 400 packages of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, commonly referred to as “Loud,” with a total weight of 400 kilograms tactically tucked into 798 reams of A4 printing paper which are not prohibited items.
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‎The Duty Paid Value, the Customs boss announced was N2,262,960,000.00.
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‎Kukoyi described the seizure as a significant victory for public safety, national security and eloquent commitment and determination of the sister security agencies to assist the Customs to protect Nigerian society from the devastating consequences of drug trafficking and abuse.
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‎He underscored the destructive impact of illicit drugs on the communities, particularly among young people, noting that beyond their devastating health implications, illicit drugs contribute to addiction, organized crime, insecurity, family disintegration and the erosion of the nation’s productive human capital.
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‎“The successful detection of this consignment before its onward movement from Lekki Port further reinforces the strategic importance of proactive risk management and coordinated border security operations”.
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‎He commended the vigilance, professionalism and dedication of the Command’s officers, the cooperation of the NDLEA Lekki Port Command and other sister agencies like DSS, NAFDAC and the management of Lekki Freeport Terminal throughout the operation.
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‎“This achievement is a practical demonstration of what can be accomplished when government agencies work together with a common purpose, share intelligence and place national interest above institutional boundaries.
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‎“The handover underscores the unwavering resolve of the NCS to safeguarding the nation’s borders, protect public health and security and ensure that the ports and trade corridors are never exploited as gateways for illicit substances and other prohibited goods”.
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‎Receiving the seized items, the Commander of Narcotics (CN), NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, Jonah Achema, remarked that the collaboration sends a very strong signal that the new CAC is ready to embrace inter-agency collaboration as well as move the counter-narcotic onslaught to the next level.
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‎“It sends the appropriate message to the unscrupulous maritime drug criminals that their operations will only end in the drag net of the Agency.
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‎“The seizure being handed over today, standing at 400 kilograms of Cannabis indica from Thailand is huge by all standards. This is coming after other phenomenal seizures in the Port such as two containers of illicit pharmaceutical opioids (tramadol 225, tramaking royal 250) with a total weight of 46 tonnes and an estimated street value of N35 Billion”.
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‎He assured LFTZ Acting Customs Controller and other  sister agencies that the NDLEA remains consistent and unwavering to do everything to sustain the existing collaboration with the Nigeria Customs.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎As part of efforts to improve maritime journalists’ grasp of shipping operations, port management and emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s blue economy,
‎the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has undertaken a professional training programme for 20 of its members at the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN).
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‎The Graduate Induction Training Programme, which ended on Saturday, October 10, 2026, was designed to equip participants with specialised knowledge of the technical, regulatory and operational aspects of the maritime industry. Upon successful completion of the programme, each participant obtained a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Shipping.
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‎The programme forms part of MARAN’s efforts to strengthen the professional competence of its members and improve the quality of reporting on developments across Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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‎The training covered maritime safety and security, integrated marine environment management, shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, as well as the marine and blue economy.
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‎Delivering the first lecture, Mr Patrick Ambakederimo, a lecturer at CISN, examined the principles of maritime safety and security, highlighting their importance to efficient shipping operations, the protection of lives and property, and the sustainability of the maritime industry.
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‎He discussed the identification and management of risks associated with vessel operations, cargo handling and other maritime activities, stressing the need for compliance with established safety regulations, regular inspections, adequate crew training and effective emergency response procedures.
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‎Participants were also exposed to the importance of intelligence sharing, effective surveillance, coordinated security operations and compliance with relevant international maritime security standards.
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‎The lecture further distinguished between maritime safety, which focuses on preventing accidents and operational hazards, and maritime security, which addresses deliberate threats and unlawful activities within the maritime domain.
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‎Delivering another lecture on the integrated approach to marine environment management, Mr Sunday Duru, also of the CISN examined the need for coordinated efforts to protect marine and coastal environments from pressures associated with shipping activities, port operations, coastal development and other maritime-related activities.
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‎He emphasised the importance of collaboration among government agencies, maritime operators, environmental organisations, coastal communities and other stakeholders in addressing environmental challenges.
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‎The session also examined marine pollution, oil spills, improper waste disposal, plastic pollution and the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems. Participants were introduced to the importance of environmental monitoring, pollution prevention, proper waste management and effective enforcement of environmental regulations.
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‎Other areas covered by the programme included the anatomy of shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, and an overview of the marine and blue economy. These courses were designed to broaden participants’ understanding of the commercial and operational dimensions of shipping, as well as economic opportunities in fisheries, coastal tourism and other ocean-related activities.
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‎Speaking on the programme, MARAN President, Oluyinka Onigbinde, said the association was committed to building a corps of maritime journalists with the technical knowledge and professional competence required to report the industry accurately and effectively.
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‎Onigbinde noted that maritime journalism required more than the ability to gather and write news, explaining that reporters must understand the policies, regulations, commercial transactions and operational processes that shape the industry. He said better-informed journalists would be better positioned to analyse developments, scrutinise decisions by industry stakeholders and explain complex maritime issues to the public.
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‎The MARAN president said the association would sustain its capacity-building efforts by pursuing partnerships with maritime institutions, government agencies and private-sector operators to provide members with access to specialised training and professional development opportunities.
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‎The association , he added, would continue to explore programmes that would expose members to emerging trends in shipping, port operations, maritime security, international trade and the blue economy  to ensure that MARAN members remain professionally relevant and equipped to meet the changing demands of maritime reporting.
‎Onigbinde stressed that continuous training was essential to strengthening the credibility of maritime journalism and improving public understanding of the sector’s contribution to national economic development.
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‎He expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired through the programme would reflect in the quality of reports produced by participants, particularly in their coverage of port efficiency, shipping operations, maritime safety, environmental sustainability and government policies affecting the industry.
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‎The initiative comes amid growing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector, improve port competitiveness, enhance maritime security and unlock the economic potential of the country’s marine resources.
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‎Through the programme, MARAN is seeking to bridge the knowledge gap between journalism and the technical realities of the shipping industry, while positioning its members to deliver more accurate, balanced and informed reports on developments within the maritime sector.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Partnerships built on fairness, transparency, mutual respect and compliance with the law remain the fulcrum on which effective customs administration revolve .
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‎Deputy Comptroller of Customs Nkiru Nwala, made this observation Wednesday at the  Customs House in Calabar while taking over as the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command.
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‎Nkiru Nwala, a former Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), vowed to strengthen revenue generation, legitimate trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations.
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‎Describing the Command as strategic to Nigeria’s revenue generation, trade facilitation and border security, she appreciated the Comptroller -General of Customs Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Management for finding her worthy to be at the helm.
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‎The Command caters for customs operations at the Calabar Sea Port, the Calabar Free Trade Zone, international border activities and commercial corridors across Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
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‎Outlining her priorities, Nwala identified revenue generation and compliance, trade facilitation, border and economic security, as well as professionalism and partnership as the key areas of focus of her administration.
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‎She pledged to strengthen revenue collection in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, encourage voluntary compliance and ease legitimate trade while ensuring strict enforcement against smuggling and other activities threatening Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
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‎The acting controller particularly highlighted the Mfum–Ekok border corridor as an area requiring sustained attention to curb smuggling and strengthen border security.
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‎She also called for stronger collaboration with sister government and security agencies, traditional institutions, the Nigerian Ports Authority, Free Trade Zone operators, licensed customs agents, businesses and other stakeholders.
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‎Nwala acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, Comptroller Momodu Giwah Dauda, and pledged to consolidate the achievements recorded during his tenure.
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‎She said her administration would pursue improved revenue performance, more responsive trade facilitation, firmer enforcement and stronger stakeholder engagement.
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‎The acting controller urged officers and men of the command, stakeholders and host communities to support her administration, assuring them of her commitment to integrity, legitimate trade facilitation and the protection of Nigeria’s borders.
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‎ Safeguarding the nation’s economic and security interests, she added, would remain top on her priorities.
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