Zonal Coordinator Applauds Western Marine Command’s Outstanding Anti-Smuggling Efforts, Highlights Record Revenue Collection, Strategic Reforms

The Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Charles Orbih, has heaped commendation on the Western Marine Command for its outstanding achievements in anti-smuggling operations and border security enforcement, describing the Command’s efforts as vital to national survival.

ACG Orbih made these remarks during a working visit to the Western Marine Command in Lagos, where he addressed officers and assessed ongoing operations and infrastructure improvements.

Lauding the officers and men of the Command, he highlighted their critical role in securing Nigeria’s maritime frontiers and intercepting transnational criminal activities.

In recent weeks alone, the Western Marine Command has recorded seizures with a Duty Paid Value exceeding N352 million.

The contraband items, ranging from foreign parboiled rice to hard drugs and other prohibited imports, were intercepted in various coordinated operations across Nigeria’s coastal waters.

“The seizures you made go beyond mere numbers,” ACG Orbih stated. “They tell the story of officers who understand that every intercepted contraband item protects Nigeria’s economy and its people. You are the first line of defence, and your efforts are making a real impact.”

He further reflected on the overall performance of the Nigeria Customs Service in the first quarter of 2025, describing it as “stellar.” The Service generated a record-breaking N1.75 trillion in revenue within the first three months of the year, with Zone A accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the total collection.

This remarkable feat, according to Orbih, is a direct result of enhanced operational efficiency and forward-looking reforms instituted under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.

He cited key reforms including the Advance Ruling System, the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, and the indigenous Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as the B’Odogwu Platform, which has significantly improved cargo clearance processes and compliance tracking across the various Customs formations.

“From PTML to other commands, the B’Odogwu system is transforming how we clear goods and monitor compliance,” he said. “This is the kind of innovation driving our mandate forward.”

Beyond enforcement, ACG Orbih commended the Western Marine Command for notable infrastructural developments such as the construction of a befitting quarter guard and the removal of illegal shanties around the Command’s premises. These improvements, he said, reflect a culture of discipline and a commitment to excellence.

Reiterating the need for continued vigilance, Orbih charged officers to remain alert and proactive in the face of evolving security threats.

He encouraged sustained inter-agency collaboration with strategic partners such as the Nigerian Navy, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Marine Police, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Our nation is facing complex threats, and your work here is not just important – it is critical to our national survival,” he declared. “We must remain several steps ahead of those who want to undermine Nigeria’s economic integrity.”

He also called on citizens to play their part by reporting suspicious activities along the nation’s waterways, emphasising that public involvement remains an indispensable element in the fight against smuggling and economic sabotage.

The visit, which forms part of the Zonal Coordinator’s nationwide tour, aligns with the Service’s three strategic pillars – Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation – aimed at galvanising frontline commands to deliver on their mandate with renewed dedication.

In his closing remarks, the Customs Area Controller of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, expressed gratitude to ACG Orbih for his visit and morale-boosting remarks.

Comptroller Ntadi assured the Zonal Coordinator of the Command’s unwavering resolve to maintain its impressive performance and uphold the integrity of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“We are honoured by your visit, and your words will further energise us to remain vigilant and committed,” Comptroller Ntadi affirmed.