Esther Komolafe

The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone A says it is moving from reactive raids to predictive enforcement through the adoption of geospatial intelligence technology, a shift aimed at improving border security and curbing smuggling nationwide. Comptroller Gambo disclosed the new approach on Wednesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria at the command headquarters in Lagos. He said the transition aligns with broader reforms introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and boost interdiction success rates. “We are at the point of transiting from reactive enforcement to predictive enforcement.…

Nigeria showcased the growing strength of its maritime security architecture on Thursday as 492 personnel graduated from 33 specialized training programmes under the Deep Blue Project, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against piracy and sea robbery. The graduation and capability presentation ceremony, held at the 5th Battalion Army Barracks in Elele, Rivers State, was presided over by Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola. Describing the event as “a demonstration of operational readiness, institutional resilience, and Nigeria’s determination to maintain a safe, secure, and economically viable maritime environment,” Mobereola said the…

The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, has intercepted and handed over 822 loaves of cannabis and 532 bottles of controlled pharmaceutical products to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control following intelligence-led operations along Nigeria’s waterways. Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, disclosed this during a briefing at the command headquarters on Wednesday. He said operatives acted on credible intelligence to uncover the narcotics concealed in sacks of second-hand clothing along the creeks and maritime routes. “About 320 loaves of cannabis sativa were discovered inside 10 sacks of second-hand…

Nigeria is scaling up port capacity and pushing ahead with major maritime reforms to position itself as West and Central Africa’s leading trade and logistics hub, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola has said. Speaking at the opening of the Mid-Year Session of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa Board of Directors in Lagos on Monday, Oyetola said federal approvals had been granted for new deep seaports to complement existing facilities and strengthen supply chain resilience. “Approvals have therefore been granted for the development of additional deep seaports across the country to complement existing…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the National Hydrographic Agency are stepping up collaboration to boost the adoption of locally produced nautical charts and hydrographic tools, in a bid to strengthen maritime safety and navigation across Nigerian waters. The pledge was made during a working visit by the Hydrographer of the Nation, Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, to NIMASA management in Lagos on May 17, 2026. Rear Admiral Fadahunsi commended NIMASA for its ongoing commitment to maritime safety and development, and assured the agency of continued support in delivering hydrographic services. He said wider use of locally generated hydrographic…

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has handed over 15 newly procured gun boats to the Nigerian Armed Forces in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s maritime defense and curbing criminal activity in the Niger Delta and coastal waters. The handover ceremony took place at the Nigerian Navy Boatyard in Port Harcourt on Thursday, with seven vessels presented to the Nigerian Army and eight to the Nigerian Navy. The company, headquartered in Effurun, Delta State, specializes in protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure through pipeline protection, paramilitary escort, and advanced surveillance operations. Officials said the new gun boats will enhance…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has formally taken custody of 4,173.5kg of Cannabis Indica intercepted at Tin Can Seaport, in a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service described as a major blow to transnational drug traffickers. Speaking during the handover on 13 May 2026, ACG Archieabia Ibinabo Ogboba FSI said the seizure, valued at over ₦10.4bn in street value, reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-led collaboration between Nigerian and international security agencies. “This is an auspicious event where Nigeria is being defended from the daring and wicked activities of criminal merchants who are more concerned with profiteering than with…

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has charged its officers to scale up revenue generation, tighten anti-smuggling operations, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and discipline. Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, gave the directive during the Command’s monthly parade on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. Oshoba called for stronger operational interventions across terminals to close revenue leakages while ensuring faster trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance. “Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. Any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated. Even at the gates. If…

The newly elected leadership of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria has pledged to deepen its partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority to support the federal government’s port modernisation drive and boost capacity building in the sector. During a courtesy visit to the NPA headquarters in Lagos, MARAN President Oluyinka Onigbinde led the new executive team in talks with Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager of Corporate and Strategic Communications. Onyemekara commended the peaceful and credible transition within MARAN, describing it as a sign of institutional maturity. He praised the association for producing professionals who have distinguished themselves across the economy and…

The federal government is introducing mandatory drug screening for secondary school students nationwide as part of a new initiative to strengthen safe learning environments and support student wellbeing. Outlined in the ‘National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria,’ the policy requires all newly admitted students to undergo drug tests at entry, with periodic checks for returning students at least once per academic session. Officials say the measure is designed to reduce the impact of substance abuse on mental health and academic performance, and to create a more conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning. The move…