The Nigeria Customs Service boss, (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR says Customs Area 11 Command Onne Rivers state has intercepted 12 Forty foot containers of unwholesome goods illegally imported into the county with Duty paid value of over N31 Billion.
Addressing newsmen Wednesday during a press briefing at the government warehouse area of the Command, Adeniyi who said that these merchants of death were trying to undermine the trade facilitation posture of his administration vowed that the Onne customs command under the leadership of Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, his officers and men were ever ready to beat them in their games.
“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 bothering on National Security breaches ” Adeniyi said.
He added” the attempt to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port.”” “Coming on the heel 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.”
He reiterated that recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend at Onne Port which according to him is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo importation.
He insisted that the scale and nature of these illegal importations posed a significant threat to the national security and the health of her citizens.
Unveiling the seized goods he said “today, we are here to showcase yet another series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 11 Command.” “On display are twelve (12) containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination.”
Continuing, the Customs boss added” Seizures on Display: One (1) x 40-feet container: Containing 4,800 pairs of military/paramilitary camouflage rain boots and 67,320 pairs of various rubber footwear, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦923,040,000. Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a DPV of ₦4,716,573,846. Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 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 ₦17,432,506,000. Five (5) x 40-feet containers: Containing 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 ₦8,128,568,295.90.”
He further stated that” these interceptions bring the total Duty Paid Value of the 12 seized containers to a staggering ₦31,200,688,142.”
Noting that the operation was not only a testament to the Area 11 Command’s vigilance but also the effectiveness of its intelligence network and the critical partnerships that the Command maintained with other security agencies.
On the dangers such goods would pose to the nation at large, the comptroller General of Customs said he was calling on all patriotic citizens to assist the Nigeria Customs Service as according to him, the issue was not that of Customs alone but the generality of the people as any information shared with the Customs would help prevent what he described as a potential catastrophe.
“I want to emphasize that this is not just a Customs issue – it is a national security concern that affects every Nigerian. We are therefore calling on all patriotic citizens to assist us in this crucial endeavor. We need your help in providing intelligence regarding those behind these nefarious acts and their intentions. Your information, no matter how small, could be the key to preventing a potential catastrophe. Therefore, effective immediately, we are implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port. For the next three months, we will be conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers. If the owners do not come forward for examination, we will open these containers to verify their contents. This is a temporary but necessary measure to clean up the port and restore its integrity” he maintained.
However, he assured legitimate traders that such a measure was not to disrupt their businesses but to create a more secure business environment for their businesses to thrive.
Hear him, “I want to assure the business community and legitimate importers that this measure is not aimed at disrupting lawful 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.”
But to the unrepentant traders he added “to those who may be tempted to continue these illegal activities, let me be clear: the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with other security agencies, will bring the full weight of the law upon anyone found complicit in these crimes against our nation.”
“I would like to express my deep appreciation to the officers of the Port Harcourt Area 2 Command for their relentless efforts in safeguarding our nation. Your dedication to duty and your commitment to the fight against smuggling are commendable, and I want to assure you that your efforts do not go unnoticed even as he noted that “these seizures were made in strict compliance with customs laws, particularly concerning concealment, false declaration, and the importation of prohibited items.”
“The illegal pharmaceuticals, including cough syrup and tramadol, will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in accordance with our Memorandum of Understanding, while the other items will be dealt with as per the legal frameworks governing our activities.”
“As we move forward, I want to reiterate our commitment to continuing this momentum. The Nigeria Customs Service, under my leadership, will leave no stone unturned in our mission to protect the health and safety of Nigerians. We will strengthen our intelligence networks, enhance our inter-agency collaborations, and ensure that those who seek to harm our nation face the full weight of the law.”
Concluding, he said.” I want to assure all Nigerians that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to be a formidable force in the fight against smuggling and the illegal importation of harmful goods. We will remain steadfast in our duties to ensure that our nation remains a safe place for all to thrive.”
By Bon Peters, Port Harcourt
