The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, has reinforced maritime border security operations with the interception of 20 sacks of Cannabis Indica, valued at ₦157.83 million, along Nigeria’s coastal waterways.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, January 14, 2025, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, disclosed that the seized drugs were carefully packaged into 1,205 wraps and were suspected to have been smuggled illegally into the country through maritime routes.
Ntadi attributed the successful operation to enhanced intelligence gathering, improved inter-agency collaboration, and strategic operational support from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
He further revealed that the command is set to receive seven new operational boats within the month to strengthen patrol capacity and expand maritime surveillance coverage.
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“This month, we will take delivery of seven brand new boats. When we do, we will get into the sea, become more efficient, more effective, and achieve more operational goals,” Ntadi said.
Beyond enforcement activities, the Customs boss highlighted the command’s commitment to trade facilitation. According to him, the Container Seat team successfully escorted 21,414 containers from the main seaport to bonded terminals, ensuring compliance, transparency, and efficient cargo movement.
Ntadi noted that the achievements underscore the command’s statutory mandate of revenue protection, border security, and trade facilitation.
The seized cannabis consignments have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Earlier, Comptroller Ntadi hosted visiting Area Controllers from Zone A, including Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Apapa Area Command), Comptroller Joe Anani (Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited), and Comptroller Frank Onyeka (Tin Can Island Port Command).
Speaking during the command parade, the visiting controllers urged officers to uphold discipline and professionalism in service delivery.
“Discipline is key. Building yourself up is key. Having foresight for the service is key. The only way for us to survive in this environment is to be very professional,” Comptroller Oshoba stated.
