BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH
Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection) DCG Timi Bomodi checked out a fresh fleet of patrol boats in Port Harcourt on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at SeWa West Africa Ltd.
Joined by Eastern Marine Command’s Customs Area Controller Comptroller Anderson Jaja, the visit focused on finalizing operational details before the boats hit Nigeria’s waterways to ramp up surveillance and security.
This move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime safety framework.
The inspection,took place on Thursday, 29 January 2026, at SeWa West Africa Ltd, Port Harcourt, was conducted alongside the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Eastern Marine Command, Comptroller Anderson Jaja. The visit focused on finalising operational requirements ahead of the immediate deployment of the boats to enhance surveillance across Nigeria’s waterways.
According to a press release signed on 2 February 2026 by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Joshua Iliya, on behalf of the CAC, the acquisition of the patrol boats forms part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) broader modernisation drive aimed at strengthening enforcement capacity and safeguarding maritime trade routes.
Speaking during the inspection, DCG Bomodi said the Service remains committed to deploying modern assets and building strategic partnerships to ensure sustainable maritime operations.
“The effective deployment of these boats is a priority for the Service. By combining state-of-the-art equipment with rigorous training and dedicated infrastructure, we are significantly elevating our capacity to combat smuggling and secure our maritime domain,” he stated.
The DCG further emphasised the need for structured collaboration with SeWa West Africa Ltd, focusing on specialised training, standardised operational protocols, infrastructure development and technical support for the establishment of a dedicated NCS operating base.
Providing further details, Iliya explained that the delegation also inspected the proposed NCS operational base in Port Harcourt, which is expected to serve as the primary hub for the patrol boats, enabling faster response times and more efficient monitoring of maritime activities.
In his remarks, Comptroller Anderson Jaja commended the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, for prioritising maritime security through strategic asset acquisition.
“We appreciate the leadership of the CGC for this initiative. Once deployed, these patrol boats will significantly strengthen the surveillance and enforcement capabilities of the Eastern Marine Command,” Jaja said.
He reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to maximise the operational benefits of the new fleet, noting that their deployment would enhance the Service’s ability to protect maritime trade routes and curb smuggling activities within the Eastern maritime corridor.
