Nigeria Customs Declares State of Emergency at Onne Port After Seizing N31 Billion Worth of Illicit Goods
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has declared a state of emergency at Onne Port following a series of significant seizures involving illicit goods valued at over N31 billion.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this announcement during a press conference held today – Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, highlighting the growing concern over national security breaches at the port.
In his address, Adeniyi emphasised the alarming trend of criminal elements exploiting Nigeria’s pro-trade stance to smuggle dangerous cargo into the country.
He revealed that intelligence reports and recent seizures pointed to Onne Port becoming a hotspot for illegal importations, posing severe threats to national security and public health.
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port have necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port.
“Coming on the heels of a huge cache of arms seized a few months ago, it is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts,” Adeniyi stated.
The Comptroller-General displayed twelve containers of illicit goods intercepted by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command, Onne.
These seizures, which were made through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination, include:
– One 40-feet container holding 4,800 pairs of military/paramilitary camouflage rain boots and 67,320 pairs of various rubber footwear, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N923,040,000.
– Three 40-feet containers containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a DPV of N4,716,573,846.
– Three 40-feet containers housing 380,000 bottles of 100ml 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 40-feet containers filled with 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of N8,128,568,295.90.
These seizures bring the total DPV of the intercepted goods to an astounding N31,200,688,142.
CGC Adeniyi lauded the Area 2 Command’s vigilance and the effectiveness of their intelligence network and partnerships with other security agencies.
He underscored that the emergency protocols at Onne Port, which include thorough examinations of all suspected containers over the next three months, are not intended to disrupt legitimate trade.
“Our goal is to create a safer, more secure environment for genuine business activities to thrive. We will work to ensure that lawful shipments are processed as quickly and efficiently as possible during this period,” he said.
The NCS Chief also appealed to the public for assistance in identifying those behind these nefarious activities. “This is not just a Customs issue – it is a national security concern that affects every Nigerian,” Adeniyi warned.
He encouraged citizens to provide intelligence that could help prevent potential catastrophes, assuring that the NCS, in collaboration with other security agencies, will hold those complicit in these crimes accountable.
The illegal pharmaceuticals, including cough syrup and tramadol, will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding, while other items will be managed according to legal frameworks.
As the press conference concluded, Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of Nigerians.
“The Nigeria Customs Service will leave no stone unturned in our mission to protect the health and safety of Nigerians,” he pledged, vowing to continue the fight against smuggling and the illegal importation of harmful goods.
The press conference ended with Adeniyi thanking the officers of the Area 2 Command for their relentless efforts and the public for their continued support in protecting the nation.
