The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has announced that the Area 2 Command of the Service at Onne Port in Rivers State has interceded smuggled items valued at N31.2 billion, including drugs and military camouflage.
This announcement was made at the Onne seaport in Eleme on Wednesday, where the illicitly smuggled goods found in 12 40-feet containers were put on display.
He emphasised that the seizures were conducted in accordance with customs laws, particularly focusing on concealment, false declaration, and the importation of prohibited items.
Adeniyi expressed satisfaction with the progress of trade facilitation at Onne but also voiced deep concern about the recurring smuggling of illicit goods through the port, stating that it poses a severe threat to national security.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu’s policy direction supported revitalising the business environment to expedite import clearance and enhance export capacity.
The CGC clarified that the customs’ primary focus has been to promote initiatives that support trade facilitation and economic development. He lamented that criminal elements in the international supply chain are taking advantage of the nation’s pro-trade stance to carry out activities that endanger national security.
Furthermore, he expressed disappointment that despite declaring a state of emergency in Onne Port a few months earlier, the area command made another significant illegal drug and goods seizure.
Highlighting the increasing utilisation of Onne Port as a destination for hazardous and illicit cargo, Adeniyi stressed that these illegal importations substantially threaten national security and citizens’ well-being.