The Comptroller General of Customs in Nigeria, Bashir Adawale Adeniyi has said that recent intelligence and seizures have revealed that Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and Illicit cargo.
According to him, the scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to national security and the health of Nigerian citizens.
Comptroller Adeniyi said this on Wednesday in a press conference at the Onne Port in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The customs boss who displayed 12 containers of Illicit goods intercepted by Area 2 command stated that the interception was through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and meticulous physical examination.
He said that the policy thrust of President Bola Tunubu administration supports, the re-energising of the country’s business environment to drive faster import clearance and grow the capacity for exports.
“ Our emphasis has been to promote initiatives that speak to trade facilitation and economic development. “It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches.
“ The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this Onne Port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port.
“ Coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms couple of months ago, it is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts,” Adeniyi said.
The customs boss explained that some of the seizures on display: 40 feet container containing 4,800 pairs of military / paramilitary camouflage, rain boots and 67,320, pairs of various rubber footwears with a duty paid value N923, 040,000.
“Three, 40-feet container 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, containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine 24,480, 000 tablets of Royal tramodol hydrochloride 5,350,000 tablets of tapentadol and Carisoprodol and other items with a DPV N17, 432,506,000.
“ Five, 40 feet containers containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine; 1,300,000 tablets of 50ml extra diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5ml trodol benzhexol and other items with a DPV of N128, 568,295.00.
“ These interceptions bring the total duty paid value of the 12 seized containers to a staggering N31, 200,688,142,” the customs boss said.
He emphasized that the Illicit Cargo is not just customs issue but it is security concern that will affects every Nigerian.
“ As we move on, I to reiterate our commitment to continuing this momentum that under my leadership will leave no stone unturned in our mission to protect the health and safety of Nigerians.
He commended the officers of Port Harcourt Areas 2 Command for their relentless efforts in safeguarding the Nation.

By: Kiadum Edookor