Business
NCS Aborts Illegal Drugs Smuggling … Cultprits Escape
The Western Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dealt a massive blow to some illegal drugs smugglers, as the command intercepted 8,240 loaves of cannabis sativa and 23,000 capsules of 100mg of tramadol along Ibeju Lekki Waterways.
But the command operatives fail to arrest any of the smugglers, a situation the industry watchers do not seem very proud about.
For years the Marine Command of the NCS appeared to have been satisfied making seizures, but have failed to bring the underworld smugglers to book, while smuggling appear to grow in degree and sophistication daily.
The Customs Comptroller, Western Marine, Comptroller O.A Salefu, at the Western Marine Headquarters, Ibafon, Lagos, displayed 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of cannabis sativa (marijuana) and 23,000 capsules of 100mg of tramadol seized along Ibeju Deep seaport waterways, Lagos to National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
An elated Salefu explained that the Command’s surveillance activities along the Ibeju coastal waterways had been rewarded recently when the patrol team intercepted one wooden boat with two Yamaha outboard engines, 40hp, each loaded with 103 sacks of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa..
He disclosed that the big time seizures which Duty Paid Value stands at N692,16,000, was as a result of networking.
However, despite its avowed war on smuggling, the Western Marine Command has an uphill task to explaining the mysterious disappearance of a certain smuggling kingpin in a huge seizures like this.
Our correspondent’s investigation revealed that importers of Nigeria bound goods through the Cotonou Port now see the waterfront as a most viable entry point, either for duty evasion, or concealment of prohibited items.
Most items this falls under the Federal Government import prohibition list or are statutorily barred from entering the country still find their ways under the nose of Western Marine operatives.
The Tide also learnt that the self-acclaimed seizures made sometimes by the command is a tip of the iceberg, as assorted clothing, rice and frozen foods are brought into Alaba market on a daily basis.
Over time, the Rice Millers Importers and Distributors of Nigeria have often expressed displeasure over the upsurge in the smuggling of rice into Nigerian market.
Many industry watchers say the matter follows a worrisome trend in which customs claim to have impounded smuggled goods or to have intercepted and seized vehicles, boats bearing smuggled goods, arresting the drivers, while the owners are said to have fled, and never found.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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The Federal Government has approved a whooping $1bn credit facility to support Nigerian exporters and small scale businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to boost production, competitiveness and intra-African trade.
The $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility is also expected to address some of the financing gap being faced by Nigerian exporters and enhance the competitiveness of African businesses within the continental market.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this during the second quarter 2026 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee held in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Obilor-Duru Okechi, Oduwole said the financing facility represented a major opportunity for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand operations, modernise production processes and increase exports to African markets.
The statement partly read, “?The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s export-led growth agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area, unveiling opportunities for businesses to access a US$1 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility aimed at boosting production, competitiveness, and intra-African trade.”
She noted that despite the progress Nigeria had made in implementing the continental trade agreement, many local businesses continued to face obstacles that limited their ability to take advantage of the single African market.
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“Many businesses still face challenges relating to export documentation, certification, standards compliance and market access,” the minister said.
She explained that the Federal Government was addressing these bottlenecks through enhanced trade facilitation measures, simplified AfCFTA guidance tools, stakeholder engagement programmes and stronger collaboration with institutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Oduwole stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework by domesticating key AfCFTA protocols, particularly the Digital Trade Protocol, to position the country as a major player in Africa’s growing digital economy.
The minister also highlighted some of the gains recorded in Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation efforts.
According to her, the expansion of Nigeria’s Air Cargo Corridor Initiative to Rwanda, increased collaboration with development partners and private sector players, as well as sustained engagement with state governments, were helping to deepen awareness and participation in the continental market.
In her welcome address and first-quarter update, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, provided details of the financing initiative.
Okala said the $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility was targeted at large African businesses with a minimum financing capacity of $10m.
She revealed that the National AfCFTA Coordination Office was working closely with fund managers to facilitate access for eligible Nigerian companies and had begun assembling a pilot group of businesses to ensure that Nigeria maximised the opportunities provided by the facility.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has advised Nigerians against boarding boats that require constant bailing of water in the interest of their safety.
NIWA Area Manager for Cross River and Ebonyi, Mr Stanley Onuoha gave this warning in an interview with Newsmen in Calabar.
Onuoha who spoke on waterway
safety, said that passengers should take responsibility for their safety by inspecting boats before embarking on any journey.
According to him, repeated scooping of water from a boat is a clear indication that the vessel may be leaking.
“If you are entering a boat and see people using a bailer to remove water, it is the first signal that the boat is leaking,” he said.
He urged passengers to check the integrity of boats, including seating arrangements and other visible safety features.
The Manager restated the importance of using safety jackets, saying that damaged jackets may fail during emergencies.
He further said that passengers should ensure that safety jackets were appropriate for their body sizes in order to guarantee effective flotation.
Onuoha reiterated the need for passengers to fill manifests before departure to aid accountability during emergencies.
The NIWA official further advised travellers to monitor weather conditions and avoid boarding boats when the weather is unfavourable.
According to him, poor weather conditions can trigger strong tidal waves capable of affecting small boats commonly used on inland waterways.
He said that waterway journeys should be embarked upon between 6.00a.m and 6.00p.m for clearer visibility.
Onuoha said the Authority had continued to sensitise riverine communities to the need for safety precautions during waterway journeys.
He stated that sustained awareness campaigns and enforcement measures had contributed to safety waterway safety in Cross River.
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