The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified enforcement and compliance operations at the country’s two largest and busiest ports—Apapa and Tin Can Island—through strategic alignment with the Federal Government’s National Strategic Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and the Executive Order on Port Operations.

At the heart of this alignment are Comptrollers Babajide Olomu of the Apapa Port Command and Frank Onyeka of the Tin Can Island Port Command. Both officers are driving operational reforms and surveillance enhancements that have led to major seizures and reinforced national security objectives.

During a media briefing held at the Apapa Port last Tuesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, emphasized that the NSEDP is a guiding framework for boosting efficiency, facilitating trade, and ensuring robust enforcement at Nigeria’s ports.

Adeniyi disclosed that between January and April 2025, the Apapa Command made 11 high-profile seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦921,021,213. The items included unregistered pharmaceuticals, expired food items, and drones, all of which pose potential risks to public health and national security.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has escalated its risk assessment protocols at all points of entry,” Adeniyi said. “This is in direct response to evolving tactics by transnational criminal networks aiming to compromise our border security architecture.”

The CGC revealed six patterns emerging from recent seizures:

1. *Proliferation of Sexual Enhancement Drugs* – Five containers were filled with unregulated sildenafil products, raising health and addiction concerns.
2. *Strategic Misdeclaration* – Importers falsely labeled pharmaceuticals as general merchandise to evade scrutiny.
3. *Diversification of Contraband* – Contraband included combinations of food items, tech gadgets, and pharmaceuticals, suggesting a well-organized smuggling network.
4. *Origin Exploitation* – Goods originated from countries with lax pharmaceutical controls.
5. *Emerging Security Threats* – Seizures included 113 drones and communication devices lacking end-user certification.
6. *Standardized Commercial Scale* – Seized pharmaceutical containers were consistently valued between ₦140–145 million, indicating systematic operations.

While praising Apapa Command’s vigilance, Adeniyi commended Comptroller Olomu for leading intelligence-driven operations and sustaining the NCS core values of integrity, professionalism, and patriotism.

Meanwhile, at the Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Frank Onyeka has overseen seizures of illicit drugs valued at over ₦8 billion. In one case, a 20-foot container declared as “used auto parts” was found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 63.75kg with a street value of ₦414.37 million. Another container, intercepted in December 2024, contained 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine and 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica, with a total street value of ₦7.63 billion.

Onyeka also intensified oversight of bonded terminals, a move insiders say is aimed at curbing leakages and improving accountability. Some terminals, previously alleged to be weak links in the cargo clearing process, have seen increased compliance and revenue collection.

“The renewed focus is yielding results,” a source close to the command said. “There has been a marked improvement in transparency and efficiency, particularly at TICT, which had a checkered history.”

Through reinvigorated enforcement and stakeholder engagement, both commands are actively translating the objectives of the NSEDP into measurable outcomes. Their efforts, the CGC said, have contributed to a 34.6% increase in narcotics seizures in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

“The Nigeria Customs Service shall maintain an uncompromising stance on the enforcement of import regulations,” Adeniyi stated. “We are better equipped with intelligence, technology, and inter-agency cooperation to detect and disrupt any form of concealment or documentation fraud.”

With Comptrollers Olomu and Onyeka leading operations at the country’s two flagship ports, the Customs Service is confident of delivering on its mandate while aligning closely with the federal government’s economic and security vision under the NSEDP.