Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers have intercepted 16 containers, just 311 of which contained assorted types of illicit hard drugs worth over N20bn at the  Eleme Onne Port in Rivers State.

Briefing journalists on Friday at the Onne Port Harcourt Area 2 Command, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, explained that the illicit were concealed beneath legitimate consumer goods including chilly cutters and ceiling fans to exploit legitimate trade channels and evade regulatory scrutiny.

 Adeniyi said the Command has successfully intercepted a total of 16 containers with an aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ?20,549,998,200 as calculated in accordance with Service valuation protocols.

“11 containers were found to contain illicit pharmaceutical products comprising: 1,301,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each); 9,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac.

“12,600,000 tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg each); 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol (5mg each); 210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg each); 17,360 tablets of Bisoveu g; 2,200,000 tablets of Bassuka (50mg each).

“The contraband items were strategically concealed within legitimate consumer goods, including 9,280 pieces of chilly cutters, 118 pieces of ceiling fans, 2,610 pieces of plumbing materials, 2,268 pieces of Smart Tech vehicle parts, 97,200 tins of tomato paste, and 700 cartons of cream.”

The Controller General of Customs stated that the seized pharmaceutical products, if allowed entry in the country and the public, poses severe health risks, including drug addiction.

“The potential impact of these illicit pharmaceuticals on public health and national security cannot be overstated.

 “Unregulated pharmaceutical products pose severe risks which include drug addiction, compromised treatment outcomes, and the facilitation of organized criminal activities that threaten community safety and national stability”, Adeniyi said.

He noted  that the Customs’ efforts are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s comprehensive approach to combating transnational organized crimes and ensuring that Nigeria’s borders remain impenetrable to criminal enterprises seeking to compromise the country’s sovereignty.

Adeniyi disclosed that the Nigeria Customs had since intensified intelligence-led enforcement across all commands, particularly focusing on high-risk corridors and ports of entry, to ensure that importation and exportation of contraband goods becomes a thing of the past.

He said: “In accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Service’s mandate on public accountability and stakeholder engagement, I hereby convene this press briefing to formally appraise the general public of significant anti-smuggling operations undertaken by the Port Harcourt II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The Nigeria Customs Service maintains steadfast commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s policy objectives of securing our borders, protecting public health, and safeguarding national security.

“Our anti-smuggling operations align directly with the administration’s comprehensive approach to combating transnational organized crime and ensuring that Nigeria’s borders remain impenetrable to criminal enterprises seeking to compromise our sovereignty.”

While commending officers and men of the Port Harcourt Area II Command for their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication to duty which has led to the successful interceptions, Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s security and economic transformation agenda through enhanced border management, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and sustained anti-smuggling operations.

“We shall deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain secure against those who would compromise our national health security and economic prosperity for criminal gains.

“We hereby serve notice to all criminal networks attempting to use our borders for illicit activities: the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with sister agencies, maintains zero tolerance for smuggling operations and will pursue the full weight of the law against all perpetrators,” he added.

Earlier, the Controller, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, said the latest feat by the Command was achieved in collaboration with sister agencies.

 “The containers were intercepted in collaboration with the other agencies, most especially, NDLEA, NAFDAC and DSS.

“We have today, 11 by 40 foot containers of illicit drugs, and 4 by 20 containers of prohibited tomatoes pastes, and 1 by 40 container of assorted goods.

“We were able to achieve this because of the excellent relationship and collaboration which has been part of the CGC’s policy trust on collaboration consolidation and innovation. So, we are not doing it alone, we are doing it in synergy with other sister agencies”, Babandede said.

While receiving the contraband goods, the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Christina Adeyeye, said it is a firm demonstration of the partnership and commitment between the NCS and NAFDAC to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.

By: Kiadum Edookor

The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing – in ceremony was held at the union office in port Harcourt, Wednesday.

In his acceptance speech,Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others.

“I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation”, he stated, noting that “the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.”

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline.

He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.

He informed that despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters was received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience.

She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

By: Akujobi Amadi

The Rivers State Police Command said the confession of one kidnaping suspect, Mr. Disney Ukulu, has led to the recovery of weapons which included one Scorpion VZ61 submachine gun, fabricated English-made beretta pistol, 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, two rounds of 9mm live ammunition and a pair of screwdriver (sunglasses) in the state.

The Police said the recovery was made following the confession Ukulu, a 36-year-old male adult from Bayelsa State, who resides at No. 25 Nnewi Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-koko, revealed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the suspect was  arrested over an  alleged involvement in wreaking havoc in parts of Diobu through cult-related activites.

“On 9th of July, 2025, at about 1820hrs, a combined Team of Police Operatives from the Special Operations and Intelligence Team (SOIT), Hawk Tactical Squad, and Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Port Harcourt, in collaboration with Diobu local vigilante group members, apprehended the suspect”, it said.

The statement also noted that the operation was intelligence-driven and focused on inter-confraternity rivalries between the D12 and BS secret cult groups, both affiliated with the notorious and dreaded Deygbam Cult group, blamed for the recent gruesome killings in the Diobu axis of the state capital.

“Following Ukulu’s confession, the operatives swiftly mobilized to the residence of Achionu Solomon Chukwuma, ‘m’, aka Solex, and recovered exhibits, which were concealed in a black bag”, it added.

The statement, which was issued by the PPRO on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, also noted that the suspect and exhibits are now in Police custody.

It further hinted that a thorough and discreet investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being made to apprehend other members of the cult group who are on the run.

Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to bringing all perpetrators of crime in the state to justice and urge residents of the state to provide useful and timely information to the police to enable them make more exploits.

It will be recalled that parts of Diobu was on fire about a month ago over cult-related battle for supremacy.

By:  King Onunwor