The Tin-Can Island Port, recognized as Nigeria’s second busiest seaport and the largest hub for imported vehicular cargo, has long been a focal point for trade activities. However, it has also faced significant challenges related to cargo clearance crimes, including container theft, fraudulent document manipulation, and under-declaration of imports.
Since assuming office as the Customs Area Controller of the Tin-Can Island Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka has embarked on a mission to strengthen trade compliance and national security. Leveraging his previous experience as the Deputy Comptroller of Enforcement at the Apapa Area Command, Onyeka swiftly built upon the strategies laid by his predecessor, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, now an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG).
Upon taking office in December 2024, Onyeka pledged to enhance trade facilitation and compliance in alignment with the strategic performance agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs. His leadership approach has focused on improving operational efficiency, fostering stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that importers and agents adhere to customs regulations.
Barely a month into his tenure, Onyeka convened a meeting with freight stakeholders to discuss emerging government trade policies. The sessions, held on February 6 and 7, 2025, at the Command Conference Room, featured experts from both public and private sectors. Key topics included the implementation of the now-suspended 4% Free on Board (FOB) levy and the introduction of the new Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu. Speaking on the B’Odogwu Clearance System, Onyeka urged stakeholders to prepare for its adoption, emphasizing that the reform aims to create a more trade-friendly environment. He also stressed the importance of compliance in reducing multiple cargo alerts and ensuring smoother operations.
“We aim to address concerns, foster a better understanding of the processes, and ultimately ensure the smooth implementation of these policies through constant collaboration and feedback,” Onyeka stated.
Under Onyeka’s leadership, the Tin-Can Island Command recorded a revenue collection of N116.41 billion in January 2025, reflecting a 24.06% increase compared to N88.43 billion in the same period in 2024. He expressed confidence that sustained efforts and enhanced compliance measures would further boost the Command’s revenue projections for the year.
Beyond revenue generation, Onyeka has also intensified anti-smuggling operations. Last week, he handed over an illicit drug consignment worth over N8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The seizure, a result of collaborative intelligence sharing, included two 20-foot containers falsely declared as used cars and auto spare parts, imported from Canada. One container, intercepted on February 27, 2025, contained 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 63.75 kilograms, valued at N414.37 million. The second container, intercepted on December 12, 2024, held 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine, weighing 78.3 kilograms and valued at N2 billion, along with 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 867.5 kilograms and valued at N5.63 billion.
Comptroller Onyeka’s tenure has so far demonstrated a commitment to fostering a transparent, efficient, and compliant trade ecosystem. His emphasis on stakeholder collaboration, regulatory adherence, and strategic enforcement signals a renewed push to curb trade infractions at Tin-Can Island Port. As he continues to implement reforms and crack down on illicit activities, Onyeka’s leadership at the Tin-Can Command is poised to reinforce the Nigeria Customs Service’s drive toward trade efficiency, national security, and economic growth.