Port Harcourt, Nigeria – In response to the alarming discovery of multiple illicit shipments, including arms and pharmaceuticals, at Onne Port in Rivers State, Nigerian authorities have initiated strict emergency protocols to combat the frequent importation of dangerous cargo.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi announced these measures during a press conference where he unveiled several recent seizures made by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne. Adeniyi expressed deep concern over the rising threat posed by the repeated importation of arms and other hazardous items through the port.
“I cannot help but call your attention to a grave concern… the repeated incidents of national security breaches unfolding in Onne Port,” Adeniyi stated, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
During the press conference, twelve containers of seized goods were displayed, including a 40-foot 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 N923,040,000. Additionally, three containers were found to contain 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, valued at over N4.7 billion, while other pharmaceuticals worth over N17.4 billion were seized from three more containers.
Adeniyi assured the public that the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with other security agencies, is committed to protecting national security and will rigorously enforce the law against those involved in these crimes.
