The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency at Onne Port in Rivers State due to repeated incidents of dangerous cargo importation, including arms and ammunition. The government is implementing emergency protocols for the next three months by conducting thorough examinations of suspected containers. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, stated that the recurring incidents pose a threat to national security and the health of citizens at the port. He also praised the West Africa Container Terminal, Onne, for upgrading facilities and taking steps towards trade facilitation. The inauguration of these facilities is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue.
“As I thank Onne Port for its progress in trade facilitation, I must draw your attention to a serious issue. The ongoing occurrences of breaches of national security in Onne Port are the reason behind this. We all share a responsibility to protect our country’s security, thus I appreciate your presence.
“The President’s strategy, as we all know, is geared toward reviving our business environment to expedite import clearance and increase our export capacity. Our focus has been on supporting measures that address trade facilitation and economic development.
“We regret that criminal elements within the global supply chain are taking advantage of our pro-trade stance to perpetrate atrocities that may potentially compromise national security.”
He went on, “Tests of our resolve to bring dangerous cargo through this port have prompted the proclamation of a state of emergency in Onne Port, following the capture of a massive arsenal of weapons a few months prior.
The fact that the offenders have not stopped their criminal activities is depressing. Unsettling trends have been identified by recent information and seizures: Onne Port is becoming a more popular destination for illicit and dangerous cargo. Our citizens’ health and national security are seriously threatened by the volume and kind of these unlawful importations.
We are here today to present yet another set of noteworthy seizures that the hardworking officers of Area 2 Command have made. Twelve containers of illegal products that were seized through a mix of physical inspection, interagency cooperation, and intelligence collection are on exhibit.
Display of Seizures
Containers containing military camouflage rain boots, rubber footwear, cough syrup, and cold cutters. Three containers contained 380,000 bottles of cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items with a DPV of N17,432,506,000. Five containers contained 892,400 bottles of cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, and 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, with a DPV of N8, 128,568,295.90.
With these interceptions, the 12 seized containers’ total Duty Paid Value rises to an astounding N3I,200,688,142. This action demonstrates not only the alertness of Area 2 Command, but also the potency of our intelligence network and the vital alliances we uphold with other security organizations.
“It is important to emphasize that this is a national security issue that impacts all Nigerians, not just those dealing with customs. Therefore, we are requesting the support of all patriotic citizens in this vital undertaking. In order to gather information about the individuals and their motivations behind these heinous acts, we need your assistance.
In order to avert such tragedies, Nigeria Customs has established emergency procedures at Onne Port. Suspect containers will be thoroughly inspected for the following three months, and if the owners do not come forward, the containers will be opened to confirm their contents. The intention is to ensure that legitimate cargo are handled effectively while also fostering a safer environment for economic activity. Anyone found to have participated in these crimes against the country will face the full force of the law, according to the Nigeria Customs Service and other security authorities. Strict adherence to customs laws, namely those pertaining to importation of prohibited goods, fraudulent declarations, and concealment, was observed during the seizures. In compliance with their Memorandum of Understanding, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will turn over illegal medications, including tramadol and cough syrup, while other items will be handled in accordance with the laws governing their operations.
The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the current president, is committed to protecting the health and safety of Nigerians. The service will strengthen intelligence networks, enhance inter-agency collaborations, and ensure law enforcement is in place against those who seek to harm the nation. The president assures Nigerians that the NCS will continue to be a formidable force in the fight against smuggling and illegal importation of harmful goods, ensuring a safe place for all to thrive.
