By Rosemary Ugiomoh
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command has upped its game in protecting the country’s maritime borders, netting 1,205 wraps of Cannabis Indica worth ₦157.83 million.
Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, the Customs Area Controller, revealed this at a press briefing, crediting the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for motivating the team, and highlighting the importance of intel gathering and security agency collaboration in the successful bust.
“This January, we will be taking delivery of seven boats, brand new ones, and I know that the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, is reaching everywhere to make sure that operations are handled effortlessly. So this month we will take delivery of seven boats. And when we do, we will get into the sea. We will be more efficient, more effective, and we will try to achieve more goals”, Ntadi stated.
Beyond enforcement, the CAC highlighted the command’s efforts in facilitating legitimate trade. According to him, the Container Seat team successfully escorted 21,414 containers from the main port to various bonded terminals to ensure transparency, compliance and the smooth movement of cargo.
“These operational achievements reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the command to its statutory responsibilities of revenue protection, border security and trade facilitation”, he added.
The intercepted drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Earlier, Comptroller Ntadi received other Area Controllers within Zone A, including Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba of Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Joe Anani of Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited and Comptroller Frank Onyeka of Tin Can Island Port Command.
Speaking during the Command’s parade, the visiting Area Controllers urged officers to maintain high standards of discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“Discipline is key, building yourself up is key, having foresight for the service is key. The only way for us to survive in this environment is to be very professional”, Comptroller Oshoba said.
