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Federal Government Declares State of Emergency at Onne Port Over Repeated Arms and Dangerous Cargo Imports

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Federal Government Declares State of Emergency at Onne Port Over Repeated Arms and Dangerous Cargo Imports....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency at Onne Port in Rivers State following multiple incidents of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition, being illegally imported through the port. This decision was announced during a press conference by Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who emphasized the national security threat these incidents pose.

Adeniyi stated that the government would implement emergency protocols at the port over the next three months, focusing on intensive examinations of all suspected containers. “For the next three months, we will conduct thorough inspections of all containers. Any unclaimed containers will be opened and examined to verify their contents,” he said.

The urgency of the situation follows the seizure of a significant cache of arms and other illicit items at Onne Port in recent months, which prompted the government to take decisive action. Adeniyi expressed concerns about the recurring security breaches and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures.

National Security at Risk

The customs chief highlighted the grave national security implications, saying, “The importation of dangerous cargo into the country is a disturbing trend, and the Onne Port is becoming a hotspot for these illegal activities. This poses a severe threat to the health and safety of our citizens.”

In addition to arms and ammunition, large quantities of illegal pharmaceuticals and other prohibited goods were seized. Adeniyi showcased the latest seizures, which included 12 containers filled with items like military camouflage boots, rubber footwear, and over 562,600 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) running into billions of naira.

Seizures of Illicit Goods

Key items seized include:

  • One 40-foot container containing 4,800 pairs of military boots and 67,320 pairs of rubber footwear, with a DPV of ₦923 million.
  • Three 40-foot containers containing over 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup, 24.4 million tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, and other items with a DPV of ₦17.4 billion.
  • Five 40-foot containers containing over 1.3 million tablets of Diclofenac, 7.25 million tablets of Trodol Benzhexol, and other harmful substances.

These seizures highlight the scale of the illegal importation network exploiting the Onne Port.

Emergency Protocols to Restore Integrity

Adeniyi assured the business community that while the emergency protocols are in place, legitimate trade will not be affected. “This measure is not intended to disrupt lawful trade. We aim to clean up the port and ensure that legal businesses continue to thrive in a secure environment,” he explained.

He further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies, vowing to hold anyone involved in these illegal activities accountable. “We will bring the full weight of the law upon anyone found complicit in these crimes against our nation,” Adeniyi warned.

Commitment to Safeguarding Nigeria

The NCS will also hand over seized pharmaceuticals to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in line with existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU). Adeniyi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the country from harmful imports, stressing that intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration will be strengthened.

As the government steps up efforts to safeguard national security, the state of emergency at Onne Port serves as a clear signal of its determination to combat the smuggling of illegal goods. Adeniyi concluded by praising the officers at the Onne Command for their vigilance and dedication, stating that the fight against smuggling remains a top priority.

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Dele Momodu Denies 2027 Ambition, Rejects VP Campaign Poster With Atiku Abubakar.

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has dismissed a viral presidential campaign poster linking him as a running mate to Atiku Abubakar.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The poster, tagged “AtiDele 2027,” suggested Atiku as presidential candidate with Momodu as his deputy, but the media entrepreneur described it as a misleading creation aimed at distracting the ADC.

Reacting via his X handle, Momodu clarified that he is not interested in any electoral contest and urged supporters to disregard the circulating image.

He said when he first saw the poster, he assumed it was a joke, but later began receiving repeated messages about it, prompting him to publicly address the issue.

Momodu stressed that he is not contesting any political office, but remains committed to supporting a coalition of parties working to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of weakening Nigeria’s democracy.

He added that he believes the ADC has many capable leaders, stating that he is ready to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.

According to him, his role will be to offer support rather than seek personal political ambition, especially as preparations toward future elections continue.

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Hard Times Return As Petrol Price Jumps To N1,440 Per Litre Across Nigeria

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Petrol prices have surged across Nigeria, with filling stations now selling fuel between N1,364 and N1,444 per litre, as rising global crude oil prices continue to pressure the domestic market.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Findings on Thursday evening showed that major marketers such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), MRS, BOVAS, Ardova (AP), and Mobil have adjusted their pump prices to between N1,364 and N1,370 per litre.

Other outlets, including AA Rano, Emedab, Empire Energy, and Ranoil, are selling at even higher rates, ranging from N1,370 to N1,440 per litre.

This represents a sharp increase from about N900 per litre recorded in February 2026.

The latest hike comes just 24 hours after Dangote Refinery and depot operators raised their gantry and ex-depot prices to N1,275 and N1,320 per litre respectively, citing rising global crude oil costs.

Market data on Friday morning showed that Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose to $111 and $105 per barrel, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel in the Middle East.

The situation has also been worsened by the recent withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), further increasing volatility in the global oil market.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said the global oil price increase is directly affecting fuel costs in Nigeria.

He noted that while Dangote Refinery has helped cushion the impact, fluctuations in the international crude market are still influencing domestic pricing.

The continuous rise in petrol prices has sparked fresh calls for government intervention, as Nigerians struggle with worsening economic hardship.

The development comes at a sensitive time as workers mark May Day, with the national minimum wage at N70,000 and the cost of living rising alongside fuel prices edging close to N1,500 per litre.

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AGF Fagbemi Moves To Deregister ADC, Accord, AA And Other Political Parties

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has called for the deregistration of several political parties, including the Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Peoples Party (APP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fagbemi made the request before the Federal High Court, arguing that it is unconstitutional to allow political parties that have consistently failed to win electoral seats to remain registered.

His position was presented in an affidavit filed in response to a suit by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which is also seeking the deregistration of the affected parties.

The AGF urged strict enforcement of Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no discretionary power to retain parties that do not meet the required electoral performance threshold.

He further argued that the continued existence of non-performing political parties contributes to ballot paper overcrowding, increases the cost of elections, complicates electoral administration, and weakens the intent of the Constitution.

According to him, the constitutional amendment was introduced to address challenges such as ballot clutter and inefficiencies in the voting process.

Fagbemi also noted that, as the chief law officer of the federation, he is empowered to initiate or support actions aimed at ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions.

Earlier in the proceedings, counsel to the NFFL, Yakubu Ruba (SAN), told the court that the case seeks judicial clarification on constitutional and legal provisions governing the registration and continued recognition of political parties in Nigeria.

He explained that the suit is strictly for constitutional interpretation, insisting that some political parties may have violated the law, and therefore require judicial guidance on their status.

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