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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The Tincan Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has raised an alarm on the desperation of criminal networks bent on using the ports to push dangerous substances into Nigeria, insisting that no effort would be spared to stop them.
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‎Comptroller Frank Onyeka, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), made the call at the Tincan Port, Wednesday, while handing over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) a major interception made through intelligence and collaboration barely two weeks a similar incident took place.
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‎”This tells us two things. First, criminal networks are still desperate to use our ports to push dangerous substances into the country. Second, and more importantly, it shows that our officers and sister security agencies are alert, focused, and fully committed to stopping them.”
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‎He announced that acting on credible intelligence gathered jointly by the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA, officers of the Enforcement unit intercepted and subjected a 1x40ft container with number HAMU 247034/8 to a thorough physical examination.
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‎”Consequently, the container  which also originated from Canada, just like the previous one was found to contain  8,347 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing a total of 4,173.5 kilograms with an estimated street value of N16,694,000,000 (Sixteen Billion, Six Hundred and Ninety-Four Million Naira).”
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‎Comptroller Onyeka described the latest interception as unique and commended the vigilance and professionalism of Customs officers and partner agencies who ensured that the consignment will not get to the streets.
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‎”This is not just another seizure. This represents a deliberate attempt by criminal elements to jeopardize National Security, endanger lives and profit from the destruction of our hardworking young and women of our country. Thankfully, due to the vigilance and professionalism of our officers and partner agencies, the consignment will not  get to the streets.”
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‎Reassuring that his Command is prepared to confront and defeat illicit importations at all times, he stated: “Let me assure Nigerians that this Command is not relenting. If anything, recent events have strengthened our resolve. We will continue to intensify surveillance, deepen intelligence gathering, and sustain our collaboration with the NDLEA and other security agencies to ensure more interceptions are made”.
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‎”We are also determined to go beyond seizures. Those behind these shipments will be identified, traced, arrested, and prosecuted. Let me also clearly warn any insider collaborators aiding these criminal activities: the Command will not spare anyone found compromising national security for personal gain. No matter how long it takes, such individuals will be tracked down and dealt with according to the law.”
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‎He appreciated the Customs Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (rtd) for the successful partnership agreement reached in the interest of National Security and the fight against illicit activities.
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‎”This development is a clear demonstration of the commitment of both agencies towards strengthening inter-agency collaboration and Intelligence-sharing.”
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‎”The message today is simple and clear: we are watching, we are working, and we will continue to frustrate every attempt to use our ports for illegal importation,” Comptroller Onyeka concluded.
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‎Accepting the 4,173.5kg of cannabis indica on behalf of the NDLEA Chairman, ACG Archieabia Ibinabo Ogboba described the event as auspicious because Nigeria is being defended from what she called the daring and wicked activities of criminal merchants who are more concerned with profiteering than with the lives, health, and wellbeing of innocent citizens.
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‎”It is indeed an epoch-making event as the NDLEA formally takes over from the Nigeria Customs Service, prohibited weeds which have tested positive for Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 4,173.5kg, alongside vehicles used as conveyances for the illicit drugs.”
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‎” These exhibits shall proceed through the necessary legal processes for final forfeiture in accordance with the law. The seizure is humongous, a total of 4,173.5kg of Cannabis Indica worth over 10.4 billion in street value. The interception of this large cache of illicit substances by the Nigerian security architecture at the seaports is highly commendable.”
‎She commended gallant officers who serve as effective and patriotic gatekeepers in ensuring the safety and security of the maritime corridors.
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‎Mrs Ibinabo Ogboba applauded the professionalism, resilience, and dedication displayed by the cooperating sister agencies, especially the  NPA, NCS and other security organizations during the joint examination through which the substances were recovered from the targeted container.
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‎”The marine intelligence unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, working in close collaboration with our foreign partners particularly the Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police diligently and tenaciously monitored the movement and trail of this particular consignment for over two to three months.”
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‎The criminals, Ogboba explained, intended to distort and frustrate the law from monitoring their deadly container by having multiple layers of movement.
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‎”They did this by subjecting the container through several routes, the container originated from Toronto by truck on 28/3/2026, through the rails to Montreal, before it was loaded on board vessel Jakarta Express Voyage, from Montreal. It arrived Tanger Med Port on 15/4/2026, where it was discharged and reloaded on vessel Osaka Voyage and arrived Tincan seaports on the 9/5/2026.”
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‎”Permit me to state that the unwavering commitment, intelligence-sharing, and operational synergy displayed, ultimately culminated in this remarkable feat and successful interception.
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‎”This achievement once again demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency international cooperation, intelligence-driven collaboration, and operations in combating transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking. As showcased in the recent seizures of Cannabis Indica that weighed 4,729kg on the 27th April 2026 and another 610.5kg on the 30th April 2026.”
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‎”The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, under the able leadership of our visionary and indefatigable leader, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) CON remains resolute, vigilant, and uncompromising in its mandate to rid our society of narcotic substances and protect the future of our nation. This further buttress the importance of the renewed MOU signed between the NCS and NDLEA recently. The results are obvious. We shall continue to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Port Authority and all Security Agencies to continually disrupt, defeat, and dismantle these nefarious activities, while ensuring the safety of our maritime domain for legitimate trade, tourism, and national prosperity.”
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The newly elected executive of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in support of Nigeria’s ongoing port modernisation drive and broader maritime sector development.
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‎The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the new MARAN leadership, led by its President, Oluyinka Onigbinde, to the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the NPA, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, at the authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
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‎Speaking during the visit, Onyemekara described the emergence of the new MARAN leadership as a positive development for the maritime media landscape, while commending the association’s electoral committee and outgoing leadership for conducting a peaceful and credible transition process.
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‎According to him, the successful conduct of the election demonstrated maturity and institutional stability within the association, noting that many organisations often struggle with leadership transitions.
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‎“What they have done is something that deserves commendation.
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‎Some organisations would have scattered if not for a group of people who ensured stability and successfully midwifed the election process,” he said.
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‎He further praised the association for producing professionals who have continued to distinguish themselves across different sectors of the economy, stressing that MARAN has remained a strong platform for maritime journalism and policy engagement in Nigeria.
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‎The NPA spokesperson also highlighted the longstanding relationship between the authority and MARAN, assuring the new executive of the agency’s support and cooperation.
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‎“I have known the president for a very long time and we have built a relationship over the years. You can rest assured that relationship will continue to grow. MARAN remains a very strategic stakeholder within the maritime industry,” Onyemekara stated.
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‎He emphasised that the maritime sector was entering a critical phase in its history with the Federal Government’s port modernisation initiative, which he said would significantly redefine port operations, competitiveness and trade efficiency in Nigeria.
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‎According to him, the modernisation programme is designed to position Nigerian ports for larger vessel traffic, improved cargo handling capacity and increased regional transshipment opportunities.
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‎He noted that the growth currently being witnessed at the Lekki Deep Sea Port further validates the need for Nigeria to upgrade its port infrastructure to meet global shipping realities.
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‎“Most vessels being built globally today are designed for large draft channels. If we fail to position ourselves appropriately, we will simply be wasting time. What we have seen in our first quarter operational statistics will become insignificant compared to what the industry can achieve after modernisation,” he explained.
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‎Onyemekara added that Nigeria possesses the demographic and economic fundamentals needed to emerge as a major maritime hub in Africa, stressing that efficient and modern ports would naturally attract higher cargo volumes and transshipment business.
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‎“The economy is here, the population is here, and the market is here. Once you combine these with an efficient port system, Nigerian ports can become major transshipment hubs within the region,” he said.
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‎Drawing comparisons with developments in the aviation sector globally, he explained that countries seeking greater competitiveness were investing heavily in infrastructure expansion rather than merely cosmetic upgrades.
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‎“We are concentrating on where it matters most, where the vessels come in. That is the essence of the port modernisation project,” he added.
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‎The NPA spokesman also called for stronger media support in educating Nigerians on the importance of the maritime sector and the economic value of port reforms.
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‎He stressed that maritime journalism remains critical to shaping public understanding and stakeholder acceptance of ongoing reforms, particularly the modernisation initiative.
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‎“The knowledge of the port industry is still not where it should be. The role of journalists in educating the public is extremely important, and we are ready to support initiatives that will strengthen maritime journalism,” Onyemekara said.
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‎He also expressed support for specialised training programmes for maritime journalists, especially in areas relating to port infrastructure, logistics, shipping economics and trade facilitation.
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‎Responding, MARAN President, Oluyinka Onigbinde, appreciated the warm reception accorded the delegation and reiterated the association’s commitment to constructive engagement with industry stakeholders.
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‎He further stressed the need for continuous professional training for maritime journalists, particularly as the industry enters a new era driven by infrastructure expansion and modernisation.
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‎“Now that the industry is embarking on an ambitious programme of infrastructure expansion and modernisation, journalists also need to be trained adequately so they can properly understand and project these developments to the public,” he said.
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‎The MARAN president noted that capacity building for journalists would not only improve reportage but also contribute to better public understanding of maritime policies, investments and reforms.
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‎The visit forms part of the new MARAN leadership’s broader stakeholder engagement initiative aimed at strengthening industry relationships and promoting collaborative efforts towards the growth of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Within the past five weeks, the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) , Idiroko, intercepted contrabands valued at over N6.777 billion
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‎Of these were 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 10,126 parcels of Cannabis Indica of different sizes (equivalent of 4627 kg with estimated value of N5 billion). Others were 14,550 liters of PMS and several bales of second- hand clothing.
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‎The Customs Area Controller, D.C.O.O. Afeni unveiled this at Idiroko, Tuesday, while delivering a progress report on the Command’s relentless war against economic saboteurs in the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
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‎Afeni restated that the Command remains “a hostile environment for those who seek to undermine our economic stability.”
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‎“We are gathered once again to provide a progress report on our relentless pursuit of economic saboteurs through our Area of Responsibility,” he said.
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‎“The Ogun I Area Command under my leadership remains steadfast in its mission to secure our land borders, fortify the national economy, and dismantle illicit trade networks.”
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‎He recalled that the Command had earlier handed over 2,543 parcels of cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command on March 16, noting that officers intensified operations rather than retreating after the milestone seizure.
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‎“Since the milestone, we did not retreat nor surrender, instead, we refined our tactics and re-strategise,” Afeni stated.
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‎Among the intercepted items were 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,685 kegs of vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 77 cartons of Analgin injection without NAFDAC registration, 66 bales of secondhand clothing, 858 packs of macaroni, expired food items, used vehicles, and six live pangolins already handed over to the appropriate agency.
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‎The Customs boss disclosed that the 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica weighed about 4,627 kilograms and had an estimated street value exceeding ₦5 billion.
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‎He warned that the proliferation of illicit drugs posed grave dangers to public health and national security.
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‎“Cannabis Sativa/Indica, commonly known as marijuana or Indian hemp is a psychoactive drug that is derived from the cannabis plant. It has a devastating effect on the lives of its consumers, especially our youths,” he said.
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‎“The rise in its abuses gives a great concern within the Nigerian society and a threat to our national security, due to its potential influence on criminal activities, such as armed robbery, banditry, cultism, kidnapping terrorism and other vices.”
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‎Afeni further revealed that from January to date, the Command had intercepted 26,002 parcels of cannabis.
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‎“This isn’t just a seizure; it’s a preventive measure. Without this intervention, our society would face a wave of drug-related crises,” he added.
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‎The Acting Controller also highlighted the economic implications of rice smuggling, insisting that the Federal Government’s land border restriction policy was aimed at boosting local production and protecting Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
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‎“Rice is a staple food eaten in many homes in the country. Its importation through the land borders was prohibited by the Federal Government of Nigeria to encourage local production and be self-sufficient,” he explained.
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‎On vegetable oil smuggling, Afeni disclosed that officers intercepted a DAF truck loaded with 2,185 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil along the Shagamu Interchange/Ogere axis on May 5 following what he described as “precise intelligence patrol.”
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‎According to him, the Command had so far seized 12,271 kegs of vegetable oil since his assumption of office.
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‎“The heavy reliance on imported vegetable oil has a very destructive impact on our nation’s economic stability, public health, and agricultural future,” he said.
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‎“The command under my watch is committed to upholding standards and protecting local jobs.”
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‎Afeni also narrated the interception of a Volvo truck on May 7 carrying unregistered pharmaceuticals, expired food seasoning, rice, used clothing, footwears, handbags and vegetable oil.
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‎Beyond anti-smuggling activities, the Ogun I Command generated ₦125.4 million between March 16 and May 12 through baggage assessment and auction of seized petroleum products.
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‎The Command also facilitated the export of 95 metric tonnes of goods with a Free On Board (FOB) value of over ₦1 billion.
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‎Explaining that intelligence-driven operations had reduced complaints on  multiple checkpoints along trade corridors, Afeni assured legitimate traders of continued cooperation.
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‎“Security and trade are two sides of the same coin at the Command. We are not just catching smugglers; we are clearing the path for honest businesses.” he said.
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‎In line with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, he announced, the Command is deploying advanced geospatial technology as part of efforts to modernize border enforcement operations .
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‎“This transition marks a fundamental shift from traditional patrolling to intelligence-led operations, allowing us to monitor smuggling hotspots across our Area of Responsibility,” he stated.
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‎The Acting Controller appreciated the massive support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, sister security agencies such as DSS, NIS, NPF, NDLEA and other stakeholders. He lauded officers and men of the Command for their contributions to the successes being recorded.
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