In spite of its impressive performance in 2024, the Onne Port Customs Command, Rivers State pledges greater commitment to safeguarding public health, national security, trade facilitation and higher revenue generation
By Edu Abade
The Onne Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged deeper commitment to safeguarding public health, ensuring national security, compliance with Nigeria’s import regulations, trade facilitation, transparency, as well as effective and efficient service delivery.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, stated this at his maiden media briefing for 2025, maintaining that no effort will be spared to regularly raise the bar of professionalism in ensuring that operations of the Command are wholly integrity driven.
Babandede, who paraded seizures of 12 containers of questionable imported pharmaceutical products by men and officers in December 2024, said the Command’s monitoring and compliance seat is constantly alive to its responsibility, insisting: “Our vigilant officers and men have successfully intercepted and seized an additional 12 containers (40 feet) of illicit pharmaceutical products. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment.”
He further noted that the ‘Best Command in Anti-Smuggling Operations’ recently won by the area also remains a motivating factor, adding: “It is imperative that I acquaint you with all the successes we achieved in 2024. Since our last engagement on November 11, 2024, I am pleased to inform you that the Area 2 Command, Onne has recorded another remarkable achievement in our ongoing battle against smuggling and illicit trade.
“It is worth noting that the morale and dedication of our officers have been significantly bolstered by the Comptroller-General of Customs’ Award, recognizing Area 2 Command as the best Command in anti-smuggling operations. This honour has further strengthened our resolve and I assure you that we will not relent in performing our duties to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerians.”
Giving details of the seizures, he listed the items to include 1,721,100 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine; 510,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac; 7,100,000 tablets of 225mg Royal apple Tramadol and Tramaking; 3,461 pieces of sanitary ware fittings used for concealment; 840 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment; and 153 cartons of TVS rubber.
While disclosing that the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the containers amounted to N20,309,890,800, he noted that the Service prioritizes vigilance and compliance, just as it cares for the safety of citizens.
“This latest seizure underscores the passion and diligence of the officers and men of the Onne Command in ensuring that illicit drug and other harmful goods do not find their way into our country through our area of responsibility. Our efforts are geared toward securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of entry points into the country through the Onne Port axis.”
Speaking further on the command’s activities for the year just ended, Babandede said: “In the area of anti-smuggling the Command made a total of 76 container seizures comprising of arms, ammunition, illicit medicine, vegetable oil, foot wares, donkey skin, used cloths among other uncustomed goods used as concealment with a DPV of N150,872,551,207.
“In export, the major commodities exported through this axis comprises of Agro and Mineral resources namely: sesame seeds, aluminum ingot, granular urea in bulk, wheat bran, orange peel among others and a total of 2,707,339 metric tons of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $952,986,490.99 (an equivalent to N1,261,039,933,168.99) was processed through the Command in 2024.”
While thanking the CGC and his management team for every support given to the command for 2024, he also expressed gratitude to stakeholders that supported its efforts on compliance and genuine documentation.
“These are just a few of the results achieved with purposeful engagement of our stakeholders and partners this year and we look forward to a more result oriented 2025. We appreciate the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media, in amplifying our message and efforts to combat smuggling. Together, we can build a safer and healthier nation.
“I appreciate the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who promised to reward officers and men of the Command in September last year for the role they played in the seizure of 844 units of rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition. This amount surpasses the year 2023 collection by N321 billion and represents 98 percent increase over the generated revenue for 2023,” he concluded.
