Funso OLOJO Editor 

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), has donated two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen security operations and enhance the protection of railway infrastructure and other critical national assets.

The vehicles were formally handed over to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Presenting the vehicles, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, said the intervention was part of the state government’s continued support for security agencies and institutions operating within Lagos.

Ogunsan, who was accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr. Demola Lewis, said the vehicles would enhance the capacity of security personnel attached to the railway to respond promptly to vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along the railway corridor.

He commended the ongoing transformation at the NRC under Opeifa’s leadership, saying the state government considered it necessary to provide additional support to safeguard railway infrastructure and improve operational effectiveness.

The LSSTF chief urged the Nigeria Police Railway Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which are expected to deploy the vehicles for railway security operations, to ensure their judicious use.

He said the Fund had a monitoring mechanism to ensure that security assets provided through its interventions were deployed strictly for the purposes for which they were donated.

According to Ogunsan, responsible utilisation of the vehicles would encourage the state government and the Fund to provide additional support whenever necessary.

Responding, Opeifa expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for its continued support for the NRC and its efforts to improve railway security and operations.

He also commended the leadership and staff of the LSSTF for their commitment, partnership and sustained support towards the safety and security of the railway system in Lagos.

Opeifa said the donation would significantly strengthen the capacity of security agencies attached to the railway to protect passengers, railway infrastructure and other critical assets.

He assured the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for the purposes for which they were donated.

The NRC Managing Director also appealed to other state governments, particularly the 26 states where the Corporation has operational presence, to support efforts to protect railway infrastructure.

He stressed that stronger collaboration between the NRC, state governments and security agencies would facilitate faster responses to vandalism and other criminal activities affecting railway assets.

Opeifa also made a personal donation to the LSSTF and called on NRC employees, corporate organisations and residents of Lagos to continue supporting the Fund’s efforts to enhance security across the state.

Beyond the provision of the vehicles, he disclosed that the Lagos State Government had expressed readiness to rehabilitate some roads within the railway compound and install solar-powered streetlights after the completion of the ongoing works.

He further disclosed that work was ongoing on a major storm-water drainage project designed to channel water from the railway compound towards the Mile 2 lagoon.

According to him, the drainage project, which commenced earlier in the year, has significantly improved the environment around the railway compound and helped address the perennial flooding previously experienced during heavy rainfall.

Police, NSCDC pledge responsible use
Speaking on behalf of the security agencies, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Railway Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Yahaya Usman, thanked the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF for the donation to the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC.

He assured that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for railway security operations and used responsibly to strengthen surveillance, patrol and rapid-response capabilities along the railway corridor.

The intervention further underscores the growing partnership between the NRC and the Lagos State Government in promoting safer railway operations, protecting critical infrastructure and improving the security of passengers and communities along the railway network.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted illicit drugs and other prohibited substances with a combined duty-paid value of N3.951 billion along trans-border routes within its area of operations.

The seizures, which included thousands of parcels of cannabis, tramadol tablets, codeine syrup and crystal methamphetamine, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

The Unit also seized four cylinders of high-grade mercury, weighing 34.5kg each, allegedly intended for use in illegal gold mining.

The mercury was subsequently handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Addressing journalists at the Unit’s headquarters in Lagos on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026, the Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliu, said the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-driven operations and sustained surveillance along the nation’s trans-border routes.

Among the narcotics seized were 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9kg; three-and-a-half packs of ground cannabis (Skunk) weighing 3.45kg; two packs of granulated cannabis (Skunk) weighing 1kg; and 11 small packs of granulated cannabis weighing 0.35kg.

Others were 24 packets of Backwoods Russian Cream cigars weighing 0.5kg; 49 wraps of cannabis (Skunk) weighing 26.1kg; and one wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg.

The Unit also intercepted 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of tramadol tablets in 225mg and 100mg variants, 1,200 Hypnox tablets of 1mg each, and 97 bottles of codeine syrup.

Comptroller Aliu said the latest enforcement operation was deliberately targeted at drug-trafficking syndicates operating within the Unit’s jurisdiction, stressing that the illicit movement of narcotics and other dangerous substances posed grave threats to public health, national security and the future of Nigerian youths.

He described the handover of the seized items to the relevant agencies as evidence of the growing operational synergy among government agencies in the fight against trans-border crime.

“Today’s event is a practical demonstration of the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to national security, public health, environmental safety and the economic well-being of Nigerians.

“It also reflects the importance of strategic partnership in the fight against smuggling and other forms of trans-border crime,” Aliu said.

According to him, the Customs Service would continue to strengthen the integrity of the nation’s supply chain while supporting the NDLEA in disrupting the movement of narcotics and other illicit goods across Nigeria’s borders.

“We are equally committed to providing relevant information and supporting further investigation whenever necessary,” he added.

Aliu explained that the formal transfer of the narcotics to the NDLEA would enable the agency to undertake the necessary forensic, investigative and prosecutorial processes in accordance with the law.

He added that the procedure would also ensure that the seized drugs were handled, stored and disposed of securely and professionally.

On the mercury seizure, the FOU Controller said its transfer to NESREA would enable the agency to take appropriate regulatory and environmental action, particularly given the use of mercury in illegal mining activities.

While assuring Nigerians that the crackdown on illicit traders and trans-border criminal networks would continue, Aliu said the Unit would simultaneously facilitate legitimate trade and sustain collaboration with sister agencies.

“I wish to commend the leadership and personnel of the NDLEA and NESREA for their cooperation and professionalism.

“I also appreciate the support of all sister security and regulatory agencies whose contributions continue to strengthen our collective efforts,” he said.

Aliu warned smugglers and criminal networks that the FOU Zone A would not relent in its enforcement responsibilities.

“Let me reiterate that the Federal Operations Unit will not relent in its responsibilities. We will continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies, enhanced surveillance, effective patrols and robust enforcement operations to disrupt the activities of smugglers and criminal networks,” he declared.

 Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has ordered the transfer of the Inland Dry Port (IDP) functions currently domiciled in the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), following the enactment of the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Act, 2026.

The directive is part of a broader restructuring of the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy aimed at creating a clear separation between port economic regulation, infrastructure development and port operations.

Oyetola has also directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to midwife the transition of the NSC into the newly established NPERA.

The move followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act in August, formally establishing a substantive statutory economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector and ending a prolonged quest for a dedicated port economic regulatory institution.

Under the new arrangement, the NSC, which has functioned as Nigeria’s interim port economic regulator since 2014, will transmute into NPERA and concentrate on economic regulatory functions.

These include the regulation of port tariffs and charges, promotion of competition, licensing, enforcement of service standards, resolution of commercial disputes and protection of port users.

The Minister said the transition provides an opportunity to eliminate institutional overlaps and ensure that every responsibility within the port sector is domiciled in the agency with the appropriate statutory mandate.

“We must get the transition right. The establishment of NPERA is a landmark reform, and the process of moving from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency must be carefully managed,” Oyetola said.

He explained that the ministerial committee would provide the necessary oversight to ensure a seamless transition and determine the appropriate institutional homes for functions that are not compatible with economic regulation.

According to him, the Federal Government’s objective is to ensure that NPERA is allowed to operate as an impartial economic regulator, free from operational, developmental or promotional responsibilities that could create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

“The emergence of NPERA marks a new chapter in the governance of Nigeria’s port sector. It is therefore important that the new economic regulator is freed from functions that are not compatible with economic regulation.

“A regulator cannot function as an operator and, at the same time, be expected to be perceived as an unbiased referee,” the Minister said.

Oyetola said the transfer of the IDP functions to the NPA was therefore necessary to achieve a clearer delineation of responsibilities within the port system.

He stressed that the decision should not be construed as a withdrawal of the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of inland dry ports across the country.

Rather, he said, moving the promotion of IDPs to the NPA would strengthen the programme by bringing it under an institution with direct responsibility for port infrastructure and operations.

“We are committed to strengthening the development of the Inland Dry Ports by placing their promotion within the agency with the appropriate operational and infrastructure mandate.

“The ultimate objective is to create a more efficient and integrated port system that serves the entire country,” Oyetola added.

The Minister further stated that a clear separation of responsibilities would enhance transparency, strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s port regulatory architecture and create a more predictable operating environment for port users, investors, terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.

The restructuring is expected to redefine the institutional architecture of Nigeria’s port sector, with NPERA assuming the role of economic referee, while agencies such as the NPA take responsibility for infrastructure development and operational functions within their respective mandates.

The transition committee is expected to guide the process of disentangling the NSC’s existing functions, assets, responsibilities and institutional structures as the organisation moves into its new identity and mandate as NPERA.