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.