Esther Komolafe

In a landmark operation showcasing strengthened inter-agency ties, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have intercepted  16 containers loaded with illicit pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦20.5 billion at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne. Illicit Pharmaceuticals: Included 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup, 9.3 million tablets of Diclofenac, 12.6 million tablets of Tramadol, and other dangerous, unregistered drugs. Concealment Tactics: Smugglers disguised drugs as imports like tomato paste, ceiling fans, and plumbing materials. Inter-Agency Collaboration: Operation involved NCS, NAFDAC, NDLEA, DSS, and ONSA. CGC Adewale Adeniyi: Warned…

In a bold demonstration of leadership that matches words with actions, Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and his management team have allocated *six brand-new and six refurbished operational Hilux vehicles* to the command. This strategic move is set to enhance operational performance and drive efficiency in customs operations. Leadership in Action: Transformational Leadership: Comptroller Balofun highlights the Comptroller General of Customs' (CGC) continued efforts in transforming the Customs Service through visionary leadership. Key Focus Areas: Trade facilitation, modernization, and officers' welfare are central to the CGC's agenda, painting a bright future for the Service. International Recognition: CGC's recent appointment…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed commitment to eliminating exorbitant War Risk Insurance (WRI) premiums imposed on Nigerian-bound ships. However, the actual impact of their aggressive campaign remains uncertain amidst continued financial strain on the Nigerian economy. Key Issues with War Risk Premiums: Financial Drain: Estimated at *$500 million annually*, with $1.5 billion paid in WRI premiums in the past three years. No Piracy Incidents: Nigeria removed from piracy-prone list; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy confirms no pirate incidents in over three years. Continued Levies:  Foreign insurance companies like Lloyd's of London still impose WRI…

s The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, ably represented by ACG Ejibunu briefed the press on the activities of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja-Lagos, from June 3rd to July 18th, 2025. During this period, the Unit recorded significant achievements in curbing smuggling and illicit trade in southwestern Nigeria. Operational Highlights: Enforcement Interventions: 102 enforcement actions led to seizures of prohibited and smuggled goods. Major Seizures: Included 3,500 bags of foreign rice, 304kg of cannabis, 7,900 liters of PMS, used clothing, vehicles, and other contraband. Duty Paid Value: Seized items valued at *N1,784,432,000*. 9 suspects arrested;…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant stride in giving back to the community by renovating and commissioning Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Olodi Apapa, Lagos State. This initiative is part of the NCS's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, showcasing the service's commitment to improving learning conditions and supporting education. School Renovation:  The school was in a dilapidated state before the NCS intervention. The renovation reflects the service's belief in the potential of the pupils and commitment to quality education. Adoption of School: Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced that the NCS has adopted…

The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over 25 containers of seized pharmaceutical products worth N9.2 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The seized products include unregistered medications, counterfeit drugs and codeine-based preparations that pose a significant threat to public health. Seized Products Unregistered Pharmaceuticals: The containers held various unregistered pharmaceutical products, including sexual enhancement drugs like REDSUN and HYEGRA sildenafil citrate products, codeine-containing cough syrups and antibiotic injections. Expired Food Products: Expired food items such as margarine and chocolate were also among the seized products. Fake NAFDAC Registration Numbers: Some of the products…

With the commencement of international transhipment services to ports in Togo, Benin Republic, Abidjan, and Ghana, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport has established Nigeria as a prominent maritime hub in the West and Central African region. Having begun commercial operations in 2023, the port is now focused on increasing its throughput, aiming to reach 500,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) by the end of 2025, up from 287,000 TEUs handled in 2024 . Transhipment Operations: The port is actively targeting additional transhipment opportunities with several West African nations, with current operations gaining momentum, particularly to neighboring and landlocked countries. Cargo…

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is set to host its 3rd Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) on August 28, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, to expose the ongoing international fraud perpetuated by foreign shipping lines under the guise of "War Risk Premiums" on vessels calling at Nigerian ports. The Burden of War Risk Insurance MARAN has condemned the war risk insurance, describing it as an international fraud burdening Nigeria's economy and other developing countries in the Gulf of Guinea. The association revealed that extra war risk insurance levied on Nigerian-bound vessels varies significantly, with .…

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed confidence in the technological capabilities of indigenous engineers to carry out shipbuilding and repairs locally. During an inspection visit to Nigerdock at Snake Island Integrated Free Zone in Lagos, Dr. Mobereola assessed the ongoing maintenance work on the DB Lagos, a special mission vessel used for maritime surveillance and national security operations. Local Capacity Development: Dr. Mobereola emphasized that the project demonstrates Nigeria's ability to handle sophisticated ship repairs and construction, aligning with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy's vision to develop local…

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant seizure of 2,693 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,450 kilograms, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N172,920,000. The illicit drugs were concealed in a fabricated compartment, known as a false bottom, of a Mercedes-Benz truck intercepted in Ilaro, Yewa South area of Ogun State. Key Details of the Seizure: Weight and Value: 1,450kg of cannabis sativa worth N172.9 million Concealment Method: Fabricated compartment in a Mercedes-Benz truck Driver: William Asare, a 39-year-old Nigerian resident of Ibadan, Oyo State Handing Over:  The seized drugs and…