Gloria Odion, Maritme Reporter 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has recorded another significant achievement in its ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and protect endangered wildlife following the interception of a live Olive Ridley Sea Turtle along the Nigeria-Benin border.

The interception was made on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at about 10:30 p.m., during a routine patrol by officers along a footpath linking Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

According to the Command, officers on patrol sighted a suspicious individual carrying a sack.

On noticing the approaching officers, the individual abandoned the sack and fled into a nearby bush, escaping arrest despite efforts by the patrol team to apprehend him.

A search of the abandoned sack led to the discovery of a live Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle, also known as the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), concealed inside.

The animal was immediately rescued and placed in safe custody before being handed over to the appropriate wildlife authorities for professional care, rehabilitation and eventual release into its natural habitat in accordance with established conservation procedures.

Wildlife trafficking remains a major form of transnational organised crime, posing serious threats to biodiversity, ecological balance and environmental sustainability.

Sea turtles, particularly the Olive Ridley species, face increasing threats from illegal exploitation and trafficking for their meat, eggs, shells, traditional medicine and the exotic pet trade.

Such activities continue to undermine conservation efforts and threaten the survival of vulnerable wildlife species.

The Nigeria Customs Service recognises wildlife trafficking as a serious environmental offence and remains committed to supporting national and international efforts aimed at protecting endangered species and preserving the country’s natural heritage.

Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), adopted in 1973 to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

The country domesticated the Convention through the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap E9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which prohibits unauthorised hunting, capture, possession, trade, importation and exportation of protected species.

Similarly, the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, empowers the Service to enforce relevant laws and regulations governing international trade, including measures against smuggling and the illicit movement of endangered wildlife across the nation’s borders.

Speaking on the interception, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Norman Olisah Alumanah, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to tackle wildlife trafficking and other forms of illegal cross-border activities.

He described the successful interception as a reflection of the vigilance, discipline and professionalism of officers, stressing that the Service would not allow Nigeria’s borders to become safe corridors for the illegal exploitation and trafficking of protected wildlife.

Alumanah expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, DSM, fnipr, fniia, psc+, and the Management of the Service for providing the Command with improved logistics and operational equipment to strengthen its enforcement capacity.

He also called on residents of border communities and other stakeholders to support the Service with credible and timely information, emphasising that the fight against wildlife trafficking requires collective commitment and cooperation.

The Acting Controller warned smugglers, poachers and their collaborators to desist from activities capable of endangering wildlife and violating conservation laws.

He further disclosed that the Command had intensified patrols, surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations across its area of responsibility to prevent the illegal movement of prohibited goods and protected species.

He added that the Command would complement its enforcement activities with increased stakeholder engagement, public education and sensitisation on the importance of endangered species, their role in maintaining ecological balance and the legal consequences of their unauthorised exploitation and trade.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, reiterated its commitment to its statutory responsibilities of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and border security, while strengthening its contribution to environmental protection and the preservation of Nigeria’s biodiversity for present and future generations.

Gloria Odion, Maritme Reporter

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has witnessed a change of leadership, with Deputy Comptroller Olisa Alumanah assuming duty as Acting Customs Area Controller, following the elevation of Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila to the rank of Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs.

The leadership transition, which took place on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, marks the end of Kaila’s approximately eight-month tenure at the strategic border command, during which the Command recorded a significant improvement in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.

In his farewell address, Kaila described his elevation as a new chapter in his career, expressing profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him and the opportunity to serve at a higher level.

Reviewing his stewardship, the outgoing Controller disclosed that the Command generated over ₦27 billion between March and October 2026, compared with ₦8 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

The performance represents an additional ₦19 billion in revenue and an impressive 233 per cent growth, underscoring the significant improvement in the Command’s revenue-generating capacity during his tenure.

Kaila attributed the remarkable performance, alongside the Command’s anti-smuggling successes, to intelligence-driven operations, effective information gathering and sharing, enhanced surveillance and the collective resolve of officers to prevent the border from becoming a haven for economic saboteurs.

He urged officers and men to sustain the culture of discipline, loyalty, integrity, accountability, unity and professionalism, stressing that these values remained essential to the effective discharge of the Service’s statutory responsibilities.

Assuming leadership, Alumanah expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General and the management of the NCS for the confidence placed in him, pledging to consolidate the achievements of his predecessor and take the Command to greater heights.

He commended Kaila for providing purposeful leadership and strengthening the Command’s performance in revenue generation, intelligence collaboration, anti-smuggling operations, discipline and operational stability.

Describing Seme as a strategic component of Nigeria’s border management architecture, the new Acting Controller stressed that sustaining its operational relevance would require purposeful leadership, improved efficiency and stronger partnerships with stakeholders and sister security agencies.

Alumanah outlined seven priority areas that would shape his administration. These include improved revenue collection; facilitation of legitimate trade; discipline, integrity and professional conduct; teamwork and collective responsibility; stronger collaboration with stakeholders and sister security agencies; avoidance of unnecessary problems in the discharge of official duties; and the adoption of modernisation, innovation and global best practices.

He emphasised that the successful implementation of these priorities would depend on the commitment of officers, mutual understanding among stakeholders and effective collaboration with relevant government agencies.

In his remarks, the Head of Benin Customs and Co-Chair of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, Col. Mekoun Parfait, congratulated Kaila on his elevation, describing his rapid career progression, less than a year after assuming duty at Seme, as evidence of his competence, experience and professionalism.

The ceremony featured tributes to the outgoing Controller for his contributions to the Command and renewed assurances from the incoming Acting Controller to sustain the gains achieved while strengthening inter-agency cooperation and operational efficiency.

Alumanah reaffirmed his commitment to providing disciplined and professional leadership, promoting teamwork and improving service delivery, while ensuring that the Command remains focused on its core mandates of revenue generation, effective border management, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade.

Gloria Odion, Maritme Reporter

The Chairman of the Tin Can Island Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olawale Cole, has congratulated Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni on his birthday and appointment as Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Cole described the twin occasions as significant milestones in Akanni’s personal and professional life, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience, administrative competence and professional commitment would translate into effective leadership at the Command.

He said Akanni’s appointment presented an opportunity to further contribute to the growth of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in strengthening operational efficiency, facilitating legitimate trade and deepening engagement with critical stakeholders.

The ANLCA chairman expressed optimism that the new Acting Controller would sustain a cordial and productive relationship with licensed customs agents and other port operators, noting that effective collaboration between Customs and the business community was indispensable to efficient port operations.

Cole also congratulated the outgoing Acting Customs Area Controller of KLT, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, on his redeployment to the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Port.

He commended Adigun for his contributions during his tenure at KLT, particularly his efforts towards fostering harmonious relationships with stakeholders and members of the licensed customs agents community.

According to Cole, leadership in the maritime sector requires more than the discharge of official responsibilities, as effective stakeholder engagement, mutual understanding and cooperation remain essential to institutional performance and improved service delivery.

He expressed confidence that Adigun would bring his wealth of experience, dedication and professionalism to bear on his new assignment at Onne Port, wishing him greater accomplishments in his career.

Reaffirming ANLCA’s commitment to a constructive partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service, Cole stressed that a harmonious relationship between Customs officers and licensed customs agents was critical to seamless cargo clearance, trade facilitation, revenue generation and the creation of a business-friendly port environment.

He urged stakeholders at both KLT and Onne Port to extend maximum cooperation and support to the respective officers, emphasising that collaboration between public institutions and private-sector operators remained central to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Cole wished Akanni good health, wisdom and a successful tenure as Acting Customs Area Controller of KLT, while expressing confidence in Adigun’s ability to deliver on his new assignment at Onne Port.