Maritime Agencies
JANUARY TO MARCH: Tincan Customs Realized N240bn, Intercepted 11 Rifles, Illicit Drugs, etc
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In the first two-and-a-half months of 2024, the Tincan Command of the Nigeria Customs Service realized a revenue of N240,302 million even as the Command’s monthly target stands at N94 billion.
For January and February, the Command surpassed her expected revenue target of 188billion.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Deraa Nnadi disclosed this to the press, Friday. He congratulated the Command’s
stakeholders who have been responsible for the payment of this duty but most importantly, officers of the Service and other esteemed stakeholders including the press family for helping to sustain some of these achievements.
He disclosed that for the month of January, the command surpassed its revenue collection by 107%.
“For the month of February, it was also surpassed by 140%. So, consistently, we keep improving”, the CAC assured.
On arms seizures, the CAC displayed 11 guns including pump action guns, 6 pistols including semi-automatic arms and pepper spray guns, military vests, among others.
In collaboration with the NDLEA, her partner agency, the Command also confiscated psychotropic substances imported into Nigeria.
Handing over the seized items to the DSS and the NDLEA, Nnadi said:“The Command’s anti-smuggling drive has yielded the following results: one 20P 9964 Rifle; another 20P 9964 Rifle; one Pump Action Rifle; one Practical Tactical 30H 80019922 Rifle; another 20P 992 Rifle; two AV Pump Action Rifle; and yet another P10115 Rifle. In total, we seized 11 Rifles and six Pistols from different containers imported into the country at different times.”
Also confiscated are several kilograms of Cannabis Indica and 23 packages containing 23 kilograms of Heroin concealed in a container. The Command, he said, is mum on further disclosures regarding this so as not to endanger ongoing investigations.
“Let me state that our resolve to make these seizures is further support to the efforts of the federal government to keep the nation safe. As you are all aware, the conveyors of these products intend to use them for nefarious activities that includes support to the insurgents, kidnapping activities and other vices that are inimical to the well-being and security of our nation.”
He beckoned on the Command’s stakeholders to join and support the recently unveiled Time Release Study initiative aimed at measuring the time it takes to take delivery of cargo from the ship side when the cargo is dropped till it enters the owner’s warehouse.
“It is a World Customs Organization- supported programme that will further help to optimize service delivery in our seaports and in our business process”.
He requested the press to keep highlighting this because it is a tool for the WCO to measure the time it takes to deliver cargo.
“As far back as 2006, we have been promoting the idea of 48 hours cargo clearance. In fact, as some of you may recall, during my second media briefing with you, I said that by now, we should be talking about 24 hours cargo clearance and not 48 hours because from 2006 till now, we have come a long way and we should have improved beyond this.”
“The question is, are we already achieving less than 48 hours? Yes, we have. But certain circumstances, when you take the average time it takes to clear cargo, overall, we have not done so much and that is why the Time Release Study was introduced to measure the time it takes to take delivery of cargo from the port.”
He hailed the press for helping to propagate some of the ideas.
“As you all know, we said that the time for delivering our result for this Time Release Study is six months. But like I said at Marriott Hotel during the launch, we try as much as possible to reduce the time- frame and deliver the result earlier than six months”.
Elaborating on inter-agency collaboration, the CAC vowed that the Service would not rest on its oars.
“This collaboration,” he announced, “has been existing since 2017 when barge operation was introduced. Successive governments have set up task forces to find solutions to this. All government agencies have been involved. We’re going to consolidate on the gains already achieved and ensure these are sustained.”
“As you also know, on assumption of office, the Comptroller-General of Customs made it a point of duty to visit all security and government agencies. He visited the IG of Police, National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff. For the NDLEA, we signed an MOU on collaboration. At the strategic level, we’re collaborating. At the operational level in the ports we’re collaborating and the results are showing.”
He strongly suggested that same collaboration be extended to the tactical level which is the lowest level of Customs administration to include training opportunities.
“Talking about training, just three days ago, the CGC was at Jaji to kick off 2024 ‘Exercise Haske Biu’, a joint exercise organized by the Nigerian military for all security agencies ranging from Customs, the Police, Immigration, NDLEA, Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force. I have been a participant at ‘Haske Biu’ twice as team leader and once to deliver a paper. So, you can see that all these are a sustained effort. Rome was not built in a day!
Regarding concerns on the source of the seized arms, Nnadi commended the media for being so smart to identify when information is not being given out.
“You also notice that I did not give out container numbers. What we try to do is to protect some of these information in order not to jeopardize investigations.”
Maritime Agencies
ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING: Seme Border Customs Nabs Traffickers of Lion Cubs, Patas Monkeys.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In continuation of the campaign against illegal trafficking of wild life and endangered animal species, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a consignment of endangered wildlife species, including one lion cub and two patas monkeys. This followed a stop-and-search operation along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.
A statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman says the interception occurred at about 2:19 a.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025, when operatives stopped a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA at Gbaji.
Upon inspection, officers discovered the animals whose cross-border transportation was a clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.
Two suspects — Mathew Kofi, a Beninoise national and Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian — claimed ownership of the animals and admitted to purchasing them in Kano with the intention of conveying them to Benin Republic.
The Command immediately confiscated the animals in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The suspects were detained for further investigation to determine their level of involvement in wildlife trafficking.
Formally handing over the lion cub and monkeys to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative for proper handling, the Customs Area Controller , Comptroller Wale Adenuga, represented by Deputy Comptroller A.Y.Mohammed, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws, environmental conservation and border security.
“We will continue to work with relevant agencies to ensure that the illegal trade in endangered species is decisively curtailed,” he stated.
He said the interception underscores Nigeria Customs’ growing role in combating wildlife trafficking and protecting biodiversity, while reinforcing the country’s compliance with international conservation standards.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has been unveiled as the Special Guest of Honour for the official launch of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria’s (MARAN) latest publication, “50 Drivers of Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy.”
The high-profile event is scheduled for Thursday, December 4th, 2025, at Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos by 12noon.
According to a statement by the MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, the ceremony will be chaired by former Nigerian Minister of Interior and Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho.
Bivbere noted that the presence of these eminent personalities underscores the book’s relevance to Nigeria’s evolving maritime landscape, particularly as the nation intensifies efforts toward repositioning its marine and blue economy for sustainable growth.
He described the forthcoming book as a “comprehensive compendium” that documents the individuals, agencies, and organisations shaping Nigeria’s maritime transformation.
His words: “This indispensable volume educates industry professionals on the profound history and current opportunities within the sector, spotlighting the people and institutions whose contributions continue to drive national development.
”With the book, readers can discover how the blue economy’s past is paving the way for a promising future.”
The MARAN President explained that the publication is the product of months of rigorous research and editorial work aimed at capturing the achievements and innovations of the 50 most influential drivers in the sector.
He added that the December 4 launch is expected to attract top government functionaries, regulators, shipowners, freight forwarders, terminal operators, scholars, and investors, making it one of the most anticipated gatherings of maritime leaders in recent years.
Bivbere assured that arrangements are in top gear to deliver a befitting event that celebrates excellence, professionalism, and service to the nation’s maritime advancement.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In pursuit of her determination to maintain an enviable record of a major revenue earner for the Federal Government, the The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service realized a total of N154.3billion last October.
The Command which has continued to witness focused leadership has also experienced sterling performances in other areas of operations following the introduction of B’Odogwu,the Unified Customs Management System software platform.
According to a release by Chief Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara, the Command image maker, the October record shows the second highest revenue generation in a couple of months.
It is recalled that in August when the Command recorded its highest revenue generation so far, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Onyeka said the revenue breakthrough was attributable to the successful deployment of the indigenous B’Odogwu trade platform, a homegrown initiative which has “significantly improved trade facilitation and enhanced revenue performance.”
In August, the Command realized a total of ₦159 billion, an achievement for which officers and men earned special commendation from the CAC. He also gave kudos to stakeholders for displaying heightened commitment in efforts to keep the Command on top of her game.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi, for his massive encouragement and recognition of the efforts of the Command.
The Tin Can Island Port Command has fully keyed into the policy of collaboration, consolidation and innovation as espoused by the CGC and this has been a driving force in the activities of the Command this year.
ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING: Seme Border Customs Nabs Traffickers of Lion Cubs, Patas Monkeys.
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IMPRESSIVE REVENUE DRIVE: Tincan Customs Generates ₦154.3Bn In October.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoPTML Customs Intercepts 1000kg of Cocaine In Empty Container
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Maritime Agencies6 days agoIMPRESSIVE REVENUE DRIVE: Tincan Customs Generates ₦154.3Bn In October.
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