Category: News

In a significant blow to drug cartels, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handed over a substantial cache of illicit substances, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol, weighing over 15,000 kilograms, to the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The transfer took place during a formal ceremony at the Customs Warehouse in Karu, Abuja, on Thursday, November 23, 2023.

The seized substances, disclosed to the public by Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, resulted from coordinated operations across various units within the NCS, including the Western Marine Command, FOU Zone ‘A,’ and Zone ‘B’ formations. Notable contributors to this successful endeavour were the Ogun 1 Area Command and Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C.’

Highlighting the joint commitment to combat drug trafficking, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of community involvement in this ongoing battle.

He detailed the breakdown of seized items, including parcels of Cannabis Sativa from different zones, such as 13,567 parcels from Zone ‘A,’ 1,511 parcels and 292 bags from Zone ‘B,’ and 3,213 parcels and blocks, alongside 935 sacks from Zone ‘C’.

The Ogun 1 Command contributed significantly with 2,223 wraps and 144 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing a total of 3,312.7 kilograms. Additionally, the Western Marine Command’s efforts resulted in the seizure of 2,205 parcels, weighing 624 kilograms.

Representing the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, the Director of Narcotics, Samuel Gazama, praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its crucial role in purging the country of illegal drugs. Gazama highlighted the societal menace posed by Cannabis Sativa and reiterated the NDLEA’s steadfast commitment to collaborating with the NCS in the unyielding fight against drug trafficking.

He concluded by affirming, “We will persist until we achieve victory in our battle against drug trafficking.”

“The border is opened but there are restriction of goods that are not allowed to come in, for instance rice”

“We have been carrying out enlightenment even before I took over, the youth organization in this community do organize a yearly activity which customs sponsors”

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Area Command announced the interception of over 4,684 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 901 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana. These seizures, which took place in October, were unveiled by the command’s Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, during a press briefing.

Shuaibu detailed that the intercepted foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to the cargo of eight trailer trucks, along with 121 other items, hold a Duty Payable Value (DPV) amounting to over N398.47 million.

He underscored the command’s relentless efforts in suppressing smuggling activities within its jurisdiction.

Highlighting the command’s revenue generation, Shuaibu stated a total revenue of over N30.4 million was accrued through baggage assessment and auction sales of seized petroleum products during the same period. This marked a substantial increase of over 400% compared to the revenue collected in October 2022, amounting to N5,487,076.00.

The Acting Area Controller attributed the success to an enabling working environment facilitated by the support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Comptroller Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team. Additionally, strategic deployments of officers, intelligence utilization, and collaborative efforts with sister agencies were acknowledged as crucial factors in the command’s achievements.

Among the seized items were 500 pieces of foreign-used pneumatic tyres, 23 vehicles utilized for transporting contraband, and 5 foreign-used vehicles. Shuaibu emphasized the command’s ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration with traditional institutions, sister security agencies, and critical stakeholders in the state.

Underlining the command’s open-door policy for legitimate trade information, Shuaibu issued a warning to smugglers, urging them to desist from illegal activities within the command’s jurisdiction or face the consequences.

He concluded by emphasizing the commitment to creating a safe environment and reiterated the command’s call for support from patriotic Nigerians in combating smuggling activities.

In his words: “our success story is attributed to the enabling working atmosphere created by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc+ and his management team. As a matter of fact, we recently took delivery of 8 Toyota Land Cruiser trucks, provided by the CGC to enhance our anti-smuggling operations.

“Other factors responsible for our achievements was the strategic deployment of our gallant Officers and Men, deployment of intelligence and collaborative efforts of the sister agencies, and other critical stakeholders.

“In a bid to improve on the existing synergy and collaboration with critical stakeholders in Ogun State, upon resumption of office, we embarked on a familiarization tour of traditional Institutions and security agencies. We were warmly received in all the places visited and secured their reassurances of continuous support and good working relationship. We visited the palaces of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, the Olota and Paramount Ruler of Aworiland and Oniko of Ikolaje Kingdom, Idiroko.

“We equally visited the State Commands/Unit of the Nigerian Police (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of Security Service, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy School of Music (NNSM) and 192 Battalion Rear of the Nigerian Army.”

Reiterating the commitment of the service in ensuring that the commonwealth and wellbeing of the nation is protected at all times, he urged citizens to feel free to provide the service with credible information that can lead to the success of its mandate as it appertain particularly to suppression of smuggling and other anti-economic activities.

“The economic well-being and security of our dear nation is a serious business that should not be compromised. We reassured the general public of our unwavering dedication to discharging our statutory responsibility with due diligence and utmost sense of patriotism.

“We operate an open-door policy to accommodate the support of patriotic Nigerians through sharing of useful information and other forms of information that may require our attention on legitimate trade or our activities generally. Let me use this opportunity to re-affirm our cooperation and partnership.”

…Wants Nigeria to emerge premier Maritime Nation

Barely 24 hours after engaging stakeholders in the Marine and Blue Economy, the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola charged heads of agencies within the ministry to work assiduously to realise their deliverables as captured in the Performance Bond signed by him.

He noted that the execution of the performance bond, in addition to the completion of key projects within the ministry would no doubt position Nigeria as one of the maritime nations in the world.

Oyetola said with the charge from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ministers to “unfailingly demonstrate innovative thinking and an unrelenting focus on results,” the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was set to position Nigeria as a premier maritime nation.

He noted that the desire to make Nigeria a premier maritime nation would be achieved by utilising the potential of the county’s blue economy to diversify revenue, assure sustainable development, and cultivate environmental stewardship.

He spoke at the maiden edition of the Ministerial retreat, organised for the Ministry and agencies under it, to cascade the directive of Mr. President on set targets and goals of the Ministry.

The Minister said the retreat provides the space to evaluate, prioritise, and forge practical resolutions for improvement, will help cascade the signed bond to Ministry’s Directors and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Ministry’s Agencies.

Oyetola went further to say that the retreat equally provides a platform to relate with sector players with a view to understanding their roles as a key sector within the Nigerian Economy, as well as to brainstorm on strategies needed to achieve its mandate and functions.

He said: “The maritime sector stands as a reservoir of immense potential, not only for economic growth but also for diversifying our revenue source and generating abundant employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“I am convinced we have what it takes to deliver on our Key Performance Indicators. We, are, therefore, gathered here to brainstorm on how to deliver on the KPIs. For instance, three months ago, I was told that the Funtua Inland Dry Port was at 80 percent completion stage. Considering that we are expected to deliver this particular project in the first quarter of next year, it would be interesting to hear from the Nigerian Shippers Council how this can be achieved in record time.”

The minister also shared the Ministry’s mandate, vision and mission with workers in the Ministry and staff of agencies within it, noting that it was imperative for them to understand and work towards achieving the goals of the ministry.

Oyetola said: “Our mandate is to Institutionalise Blue Economy as an important pillar for economic sustenance and growth diversification having due regards to the ecosystem.

“The Ministry’s Vision is to to position Nigeria as a premier maritime nation by utilising the potential of its blue economy to diversify revenue, assure sustainable development, and cultivate environmental stewardship.

“While the mission is to formulate and implement policies, programmes, and initiatives that will facilitate the development of an inclusive maritime and blue economy (Ecosystem), driven by an operating environment that meets global best standards.

“We have a solid team of resource persons and facilitators who will demystify the importance of the mandate, vision and mission to develop the goals and road map for the Ministry with a view to achieving the performance bond and other numerous projects, programmes and initiatives that will position Nigeria among the top earning nations in the Marine and Blue Economy Sector.

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. President wants to see tangible results and our shared responsibility to serve the people and I believe that Mr. President’s expectation from our sector is doable,” Oyetola added.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry , Dr. Magdalene Ajani said the retreat was designed to provide a veritable platform for the top management officials of the ministry and its agencies to cross-fertilise ideas on how to galvanise the marine sector to meet the set goals and objectives of the ministry.

“It is worthy to note that the Honourable Minister has signed a Performance bond with Mr. President, which will serve as a scorecard for the Ministry. This bond comes with its initiatives, deliverables, Key Performance Indicators, timelines, and target, which the sector must unconditionally achieve.”