The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intends to mandate full cargo scanning for all imports at Onne Port, Rivers State, to bolster security and block the entry of illegal goods, including pharmaceuticals. Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer, announced this move during a meeting with journalists in Port Harcourt. He noted that the initiative mirrors procedures already active at Apapa Port in Lagos to combat shifting smuggling methods.
This decision follows an emergency declaration at Onne Port in September 2024 by Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, spurred by the discovery of arms and illicit drugs. Maiwada clarified that this emergency status never intended to stop commercial activity, but rather to concentrate resources and oversight on the facility. The customs service plans to integrate these scan results directly with import declarations to ensure accountability.
Although some stakeholders have resisted these technological upgrades, the agency remains firm in its commitment to preventing hazardous imports. The service is currently prioritizing the installation of scanning infrastructure at Onne as part of a national rollout. These efforts are part of a broader push to improve transparency and trade security through partnership with the media.
