Maritime Agencies
Seme Customs Hits Big: Intercepts 10,000 Bags of Expired Flour, Cannabis; Facilitates 53, 989.47MT Exports in A Month
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
“Guided by the CGC’s commitment to transparency and modernisation, the Seme Area Command has intensified efforts to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure that legitimate traders enjoy the full benefits of Customs modernisation and regional integration along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor”.
Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Border Command gave this reaffirmation at the Seme-Krake border, Thursday, as he gave a rundown of recent exploits in revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation.
In the month of September, 2025, the Command generated ₦1,500,029,233.88 in contrast to ₦531,462,332.45 collected in the corresponding period of 2024. This represents an increase of over 182%
Talking of exports, Seme Command facilitated the movement of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of ₦7,969,376,198.78 even as the total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) realization was ₦39,868,354.42.
The most significant seizure achieved through
credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration was that involving five (5) trucks conveying a total of 10,000 bags of expired flour originating from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,210,300,000.00. The interception pulled through following a joint operation with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
Other seizures include 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and 120 packs of tramadol (120mg) seized alongside two suspects handed over to the NDLEA Seme Command on October 7th, 2025 for further investigation.
After a sting operation at sea, the Nigerian Navy seized over 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) and handed same over to Customs.
Other seizures showcased by Comptroller Adenuga were 150 bales of second-hand clothing,169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine and 5 used vehicles.
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures stands at ₦1,999,093,429.00.
Accepting the seized drugs on behalf of the DG of NAFDAC, the Seme Area boss, Dr Nurudeen Audu recalled that his agency has continued to synergise with the NCS in protecting the nation’s economy and checking the illegal entry of dangerous and expired pharmaceuticals into Nigeria. He added that “seized food items are usually sent to our laboratory at Oshodi for testing before they are allowed to be sold or taken to the internally displaced persons camps for distribution”.
On behalf of the leadership of the NDLEA, Ajoku Rita, Controller of Narcotics, said of the seized tramadol and cannabis sativa: “we are working together assiduously to make sure that these illegal drugs do not come in to wreck havoc on our youths”.
Concerning the means of conveyance of the seized items, Comptroller Adenuga assured of plans to dispose them soon as the CGC is averse to any kind of wastage.
Earlier in the week, the CAC hosted
traditional and youth leaders, sister-security agencies in the Seme-Krake border area, cross-border agencies from Benin Republic and the press to discuss the issue of numerous checkpoints along the busy Lagos -Badagry trade corridor and the need to reduce these as much as possible to enhance free movement and trade facilitation. He reported that within a short notice, stakeholders and various agencies complicated were already cooperating to ease movement of people and legitimate goods.
As far as the Nigeria Customs is concerned, he announced, only two checkpoints are approved on the Mile 2 to Seme border trade route. These are Agbara and Gbaji. However, there are one or two points where roving customs officers are sighted strictly for intervention and reinforcement. These are not answerable to Seme Command.
’Only God Is Wise’ bonded terminal under the supervision of the Command was inspected as the CAC directed.
According to the facility manager, Mr Adetoun Abidemi, the terminal which the command conceived began operations in 2019 for the purpose of improving trade facilitation.
Adetoun noted that the terminal handles general services and that examination of cargoes is presently done at 100%. He disclosed that for now, the terminal is operating at very low capacity as a result of low patronage. Abidemi called on all importers and exporters to use the bonded terminal facility while processing their cargoes.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
Capt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.
Ports Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
New MARAN Leadership Set for Inauguration, June 23.
NIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
CHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
Comptroller Anani Succeeds ACG Onyeka as Tincan Customs CAC, Pledges to Build on Lofty Achievements.
REPORTER’S DIARY: How Lagos State Task Force Made Me ‘Igbobi Landlord’ For Filming Operatives Extorting Suspected ‘Okada’ Operators In Apapa*
Tantita Donates 15 Gun Boats to Nigerian Army, Navy.
ANLCA Harps on Responsible Reportage, Pledges Support for New MARAN Exco,
Tincan Customs, NDLEA Promise Hard Times for Drug Peddlers, Seize N16,694bn worth of Cannabis Indica .
MARAN Seeks Strategic Partnership With NPA on Port Modernisation, Capacity Building
OGUN AREA 1 CUSTOMS Dares Smugglers, Confiscates Contrabands Worth N6.7Bn in 5 Weeks.
NPA Mourns her Ace Cameraman, Paul Erakhifu, alias “Texas”.
MARAN Elects Yinka Onigbinde As New President.
Anti-Smuggling Operations: FOU ‘A’ Customs Seizes N2.35bn Drugs, Pledges Hard Times for Smugglers.
Kaila, Seme Customs Boss, Pledges To Eradicate Trade Barriers, Visits Stakeholders To Create Awareness.
1. EXECUTIVE PLATFORM. AMES 2024: TIME TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IS NOW, AMES President Charges FG.
2023 ELECTIONS：CILT Hosts Seminar on Logistics & Electoral Process
APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
B’ODOGWU TRADE PORTAL: Customs Consolidates, Pilots Form ‘M’ Processing.
JANUARY-MAY REPORT: Seme Customs Hits N2.6bn, Facilitates ₦35.1bn Exports.
HALF YEAR, 2024: Apapa Customs Nets ₦1.024 Trillion, Records 143% Increase.
PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
Photo News: Salah Celebration
Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
B’Odogwu: Apapa Customs Collects ₦161b in 3 Weeks, Assures of Improvements .
Mama Theresa Enisuoh Due For Burial April 27
WAR AGAINST OIL THEFT: Tompolo’s Company Nabs VLCC Laden With Crude Oil
MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).
SIFAX GROUP: Ojeniyi Becomes Sky Capital GMD, Omajuwa Strategy Director.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoCHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoComptroller Anani Succeeds ACG Onyeka as Tincan Customs CAC, Pledges to Build on Lofty Achievements.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNew MARAN Leadership Set for Inauguration, June 23.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoPorts Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
-
Maritime Agencies1 week agoCapt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.