The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency at the Onne Port in Rivers State following repeated incidents of importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition through the port.
The government said effective immediately, it is implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port for the next three months by conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers in the premises.
Comptroller-general of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, stated this at a press conference to unveil the seizures of illicit goods by Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 command, Onne, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the recurring incidents pose a threat to national security, adding that the health of citizens at the Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo, describing it as a disturbing trend.
“It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches.”
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port, coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms a couple of months ago.
“It is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts. Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo. The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens,” Adeniyi stated.
He said on display were 12 containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination.
“Seizures on Display: One (1) x 40-feet container: Containing 4,800 pairs of military/paramilitary camouflage rain boots and 67,320 pairs of various rubber footwear, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N923,040,000. Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a DPV of N4,716,573,846.”
Adeniyi further stated that three x 40-feet containers containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items, with a DPV of N17,432,506,000 were seized.
“Five (5) x 40-feet containers; Containing 892,400 bottles s of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of N8, 128,568,295,90.
“These interceptions bring the total Duty Paid Value of the 12 seized containers to a staggering N3I,200,688,142. This operation is not only a testament to the Area 2 Command’s vigilance but also to the effectiveness of our intelligence network and the critical partnerships we maintain with other security agencies,” he added.
The Comptroller-general while pointing out that the issue is a national security concern that affects every Nigerian, called on all patriotic citizens to assist the NCS by providing intelligence regarding those behind the nefarious acts and their intentions.
