FG Declares Emergency at Onne Port Over Illicit Importation

The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency at Onne Port in Rivers State due to repeated incidents of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition, being imported through the port.

Effective immediately, the government is implementing emergency protocols for the next three months. This includes conducting thorough inspections of all suspected containers at Onne Port.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced the emergency measures during a press conference on Wednesday, where he showcased recent seizures by the Nigeria Customs Service’s Area 2 Command. Adeniyi described the repeated breaches of national security at Onne Port as a serious concern and emphasized that the port has increasingly become a transit point for dangerous and illicit cargo.

Adeniyi stated, “Today, we are addressing a grave concern related to security breaches at Onne Port. The policy of trade facilitation must not be exploited by criminal elements for national security threats.”

He detailed recent significant seizures, including:

One 40-feet container: 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.

Three 40-feet containers: 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a DPV of N4,716,573,846.

Three 40-feet containers: 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, with a DPV of N17,432,506,000.

Five 40-feet containers: 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, with a DPV of N8,128,568,295.90.

The total DPV for the 12 seized containers amounts to approximately N31,200,688,142. Adeniyi stressed that the seizures are a testament to the vigilance of the Area 2 Command and the effectiveness of their intelligence network and inter-agency collaboration.

Adeniyi assured the business community and legitimate importers that the emergency protocols are intended to enhance security without disrupting lawful trade. He urged the public to assist by providing intelligence on illegal activities and assured that any legal shipments would be processed efficiently.

He commended the officers for their dedication and emphasized the Customs Service’s commitment to combating smuggling and the illegal importation of harmful goods. “The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to be a formidable force in safeguarding the nation’s security and health,” he affirmed.