The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency at the Onne Port in Rivers State due to the repeated importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition. This move follows a series of national security breaches and the discovery of illicit goods at the port. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced the emergency measures during a press conference in Eleme Local Government Area, where he unveiled recent seizures by the Nigeria Customs Service’s Area 2 command.
Adeniyi emphasized that the ongoing incidents at Onne Port pose significant threats to national security and public health, describing the situation as a disturbing trend. To address these concerns, the government will implement emergency protocols at the port for the next three months, involving thorough examinations of all suspected containers. If the owners of these containers do not come forward, the customs officials will open and inspect them.
Among the seized items are 12 containers of illicit goods, including military camouflage boots, large quantities of cough syrup containing codeine, tramadol, and other pharmaceuticals. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these intercepted items amounts to over ₦31 billion. The illicit pharmaceuticals will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.
Adeniyi underscored the importance of intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration in combating these illegal activities, calling on citizens to assist by providing information on those behind these smuggling operations. He reassured the business community that the emergency measures are not intended to disrupt legitimate trade but are necessary to secure the port and protect national interests.
The Customs Service, under Adeniyi’s leadership, is committed to strengthening its intelligence networks and ensuring that all parties involved in illegal importation face severe legal consequences. The ultimate goal is to safeguard Nigeria’s security and ensure a safe environment for lawful business activities.
