Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container concealing components of pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products with a combined street value of ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command in Lagos.

Announcing the seizures on Thursday, August 6th,2016, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the operations as a major breakthrough in the Service’s sustained campaign against the importation of prohibited items that pose serious threats to national security and public health.

Addressing journalists alongside representatives of other security agencies, Adeniyi said the seizures underscore the NCS’ unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders through intelligence-driven enforcement and enhanced risk management.

According to him, Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by the Service’s intelligence-based risk management system and placed under intensive surveillance before undergoing a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station.

The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.

The Customs boss disclosed that the recovered firearm components are currently undergoing comprehensive technical examination and inventory to determine their exact quantity and configuration.

Adeniyi further revealed that investigations extended beyond the seizure, leading to the arrest of one suspect on July 31, 2026, at the Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.

He explained that documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established the suspect’s connection with the named consignee, including a ₦10,000 payment traced to a company account linked to the consignee on the day of the arrest.

According to the CGC, two suspects are currently in Customs custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by security operatives.

In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused products cleverly concealed alongside two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.

The seized narcotic products include:
109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces, weighing 17.44kg, with a street value of ₦308,792,640.
125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs, weighing 515.2kg, valued at ₦40,700,000.

Others are 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies comprising 442 packs, weighing 309.4kg, with a street value of ₦24,310,000.

The total street value of the intercepted cannabis-infused products was put at ₦373,802,640.

Adeniyi noted that the interceptions demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate international trade channels to smuggle illicit arms and narcotic substances into the country.

He said the successful operations also validate the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems and robust collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies.

The Comptroller-General reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks engaged in smuggling, stressing that every individual connected to the illegal operations would be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“Nigeria’s ports will never serve as safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods,” Adeniyi declared.

He commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, professionalism and dedication, which culminated in the successful interceptions.

The CGC also acknowledged the continued support of sister security and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the nation’s borders.

Reassuring Nigerians of the Service’s commitment to its statutory mandate, Adeniyi said the Nigeria Customs Service would remain resolute in securing the nation’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods.

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support the fight against smuggling and transnational organised crime, adding that the Service would keep Nigerians informed as investigations progress and the prosecution of the suspects begins.

Funso Olojo, Editor

The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded exports valued at $792.5 million in the second quarter of 2026, processing a total of 5,510 export containers between April and June.

The Command’s export performance represented an increase of $192.9 million, or 24.35 per cent, compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

Disclosing the figures during a press briefing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi, said the impressive performance reflected the Command’s commitment to facilitating non-oil exports and supporting the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.

A breakdown of the quarterly performance showed that export transactions valued at $274.8 million were processed in April 2026, compared with $237.5 million in April 2025, representing an increase of $37.2 million or 13.55 per cent.

In May, export value rose to $275.9 million, up from $180.9 million recorded in the corresponding month of 2025.

This represented an increase of $94.9 million, translating to 34.40 per cent growth.

Similarly, exports processed in June stood at $241.8 million, compared with approximately $181 million recorded in June 2025, reflecting an increase of about $60.8 million or 25.15 per cent.

Comptroller Ariyibi also disclosed that the Command handled 5,510 export containers during the quarter, compared with 3,732 containers in the same period of 2025. This represents an increase of 1,778 containers, translating to 32.27 per cent growth in container throughput.

Agricultural products accounted for the largest share of exports during the period, with shipments valued at $422.09 million, up from $369.85 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

This represented an increase of about $52.24 million, underscoring the sustained growth of Nigeria’s agricultural export sector.

Manufactured goods ranked second among export commodities, rising significantly from $120.3 million in the second quarter of 2025 to about $350.67 million in the same period of 2026.

The increase of approximately $230.37 million highlights the growing contribution of value-added products to Nigeria’s export earnings.

In contrast, exports of solid minerals declined sharply from about $91.16 million in the second quarter of 2025 to about $7.18 million during the review period, a drop of nearly $84 million.

According to the Area Controller, the decline aligns with the Federal Government’s policy of promoting local value addition and domestic processing of mineral resources before export.

On revenue, the Command generated ₦95.26 million as the 2.5 per cent Export Surcharge, compared with ₦149.40 million generated during the corresponding period in 2025.

This represented a decline of ₦54.13 million, or 36.24 per cent.

However, collections under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) increased from ₦4.87 billion to ₦5.38 billion, representing a growth of approximately ₦512 million, or 9.52 per cent.

Speaking on the performance, Comptroller Ariyibi said:
“The impressive performance recorded during the second quarter of 2026 reflects the Command’s unwavering commitment to trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement, compliance enforcement, and the implementation of Federal Government policies aimed at boosting non-oil exports.

“The Lilypond Export Command remains resolute in its mandate to facilitate legitimate exports, improve operational efficiency, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth through increased non-oil export activities.”

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Customs management team for their visionary leadership and continuous support.

The Area Controller also commended exporters, licensed customs agents, partner government agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation, noting that their collaboration was instrumental to the Command’s strong second-quarter performance.

Gloria Odion,  maritme reporter 

The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has announced September 10th, 2026, as the date for this year’s edition of its flagship MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL), a high-profile gathering expected to bring together key government officials, industry leaders and maritime stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for enhancing the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports.

The annual lecture, scheduled to hold at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, will focus on the theme: “Nigeria Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”

The event is expected to provide a strategic platform for robust discussions on reforms required to make Nigerian ports more efficient, cost-effective and globally competitive.

According to the organisers, this year’s lecture will examine critical issues shaping the nation’s maritime sector, including port infrastructure modernisation, operational efficiency, port charges, trade facilitation, regulatory reforms and policy initiatives aimed at positioning Nigeria as the preferred maritime and logistics hub in West and Central Africa.

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing reforms in the maritime and blue economy sectors.

The keynote address will be delivered by Hadiza Bala Usman, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and  Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU).

She is expected to articulate the Federal Government’s policy direction on port reforms and highlight the importance of coordinated implementation in improving operational efficiency, attracting investment and driving sustainable economic growth.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, disclosed that the lecture will be chaired by TANTITA Security Services Limited, adding that it will attract an array of stakeholders, including government officials, heads of maritime agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, port users, investors, academics, development partners and media professionals.

According to Onigbinde, MAMAL has over the years evolved into one of the maritime industry’s foremost policy dialogue platforms, fostering constructive engagement among stakeholders and generating practical recommendations to address the sector’s most pressing challenges.

He expressed optimism that this year’s edition would produce actionable policy recommendations on reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, improving operational efficiency, boosting investor confidence and accelerating Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leading maritime and logistics gateway in the sub-region.

Onigbinde therefore called on stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to participate actively in the event, describing MAMAL 2026 as a strategic forum for shaping policies, strengthening partnerships and promoting innovation that will drive sustainable growth and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.