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.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port is expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime gateway in West Africa and the African continent, while opening new trade corridors to landlocked countries across the Sahel region.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this at the Presidential Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port, where he described the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest to expand its maritime capacity, deepen regional trade and unlock the economic potential of its blue economy.

According to Dantsoho, the port, upon completion, will transform Nigeria’s maritime landscape, improve connectivity with neighbouring countries, attract substantial investments and enhance the country’s competitiveness in international shipping and logistics.

He explained that the project, being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and backed by a $3.5 billion facility from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), is strategically positioned to serve Nigeria, the wider Gulf of Guinea and countries across the Sahel.

A major feature of the proposed facility, he noted, is its capacity to accommodate Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), a development expected to enhance shipping efficiency and reduce the frequency of maintenance dredging.

Dantsoho said the port’s strategic location, coupled with supporting road infrastructure, would give Nigeria a significant competitive advantage in the regional and international maritime industry.

He identified the proposed 275-kilometre, six-lane Calabar-Ogoja-Gakem Superhighway as a critical component of the project, explaining that the road would provide an efficient cargo evacuation corridor from the port to Nigeria’s North-Central and North-Eastern regions.

He added that the highway, alongside the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, would improve connectivity, ease transportation bottlenecks and strengthen the country’s coastal logistics network.

Beyond domestic connectivity, the NPA chief said the proposed superhighway would position Bakassi as a competitive transshipment gateway for landlocked countries, including Chad, Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso.

He stressed that the enormous population and trade potential of these countries presented a significant opportunity for Nigeria to expand its maritime influence and capture a larger share of regional cargo traffic.

“Bakassi Deep Sea Port therefore presents an important opportunity to strengthen regional trade connectivity, facilitate access to international shipping routes and position Nigeria as a preferred maritime gateway for the wider West and Central African markets,” he said.

Dantsoho noted that Africa accounts for 16 of the world’s 44 landlocked countries, with four located in West Africa.

He put the combined population of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad at approximately 101 million, describing the market as a major economic opportunity for the proposed port.

The NPA Managing Director also drew attention to the relationship between economic size, population and maritime infrastructure, arguing that countries with large economies and populations require efficient seaports to facilitate international trade and sustain economic growth.

Citing the United States and Brazil as examples, he observed that major economies often rely on strategic maritime facilities to support their international commerce.

He referenced the Port of Los Angeles in the United States and the Port of Santos in Brazil, describing the latter as one of South America’s leading maritime facilities.

According to him, Nigeria must aspire to develop ports capable of competing with leading maritime hubs across the world through sustained investment in infrastructure, modern technology and operational efficiency.

Drawing a comparison between Nigeria and Brazil, Dantsoho noted that both countries have long-established port systems requiring continuous modernisation to meet the changing demands of international shipping.

While the Port of Santos is approximately 200 years old, he said Apapa Port is about a century old, underscoring the need to modernise existing brownfield ports while developing new greenfield deep-sea facilities.

“The Brazilian experience offers an interesting comparison with Nigeria because both countries have ports with long histories.

“The Port of Santos is about 200 years old, while Apapa Port is approximately 100 years old.

“These ports require continuous modernisation to meet the evolving demands of international shipping.

“This underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to modernise its existing brownfield ports while simultaneously developing greenfield deep-sea ports,” he said.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the transformation of the maritime sector through ongoing port modernisation, expansion and infrastructure upgrade programmes.

Dantsoho said the investments across the Western and Eastern Ports were essential to expanding cargo-handling capacity, improving operational efficiency and enabling Nigerian ports to accommodate larger vessels.

He particularly appreciated the President for supporting the ongoing modernisation projects, describing them as critical to repositioning the country’s maritime infrastructure for the demands of contemporary global shipping.

The NPA chief congratulated President Tinubu, Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, and Nigerians on the groundbreaking ceremony, describing it as an important step towards unlocking Nigeria’s maritime and economic potential.

He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to collaborating with the Cross River State Government, private-sector investors, technical partners, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery and eventual operation of the port.

Dantsoho also assured that the NPA, under the supervision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, would ensure compliance with safety standards, environmental sustainability requirements, operational regulations and international best practices throughout the construction and operational phases.

He expressed optimism that the Bakassi Deep Sea Port, alongside ongoing investments in existing port infrastructure, would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity, stimulate regional integration, create employment and investment opportunities, and consolidate the country’s position as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa.

Gloria Odion, Maritme Reporter 

Comrade Adewale Akodu, the newly elected Chairman of the Lagos Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),has called for stronger collaboration among maritime media organisations and increased investment in journalists’ professional development to support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernise its seaports, improve trade facilitation and strengthen the maritime sector.

Akodu made the call while addressing participants at the Unity Conference organised by the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMJ), where he commended the organisation’s leadership for providing a platform for stakeholder engagement, constructive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

He described the conference theme, which focuses on supporting seaport modernisation, trade facilitation and revenue generation, as timely and relevant, particularly as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to reposition the economy and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in international trade.

According to him, the nation’s seaports remain critical to economic growth, international commerce and revenue generation, making it necessary to invest in modern infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and strengthen trade facilitation processes.

He noted that achieving an efficient and competitive port system requires a coordinated approach involving government agencies, private sector operators, industry stakeholders and the media.

Akodu stressed that addressing operational bottlenecks, reducing delays, improving cargo clearance processes and resolving other challenges affecting port operations would enhance the ease of doing business and position Nigeria’s maritime industry for sustainable growth.

He further described the media as an indispensable partner in the implementation of government policies, noting that maritime journalists play a significant role in promoting public understanding, institutional accountability and constructive engagement among stakeholders.

He urged maritime media organisations and professional associations to strengthen their relationships, emphasising that differences in affiliations and platforms should not undermine their shared responsibility to advance the interests of the maritime industry.

“While our platforms and affiliations may differ, our professional interests and responsibilities remain interconnected.

“We must therefore put aside our differences, promote unity and work collectively to advance the welfare, credibility and professional standards of maritime journalism,” he said.

The Lagos NUJ Chair also called on relevant government agencies and industry operators to deepen their engagement with the media by supporting journalism-related programmes, particularly in the areas of capacity building, professional development, specialised training and continuous education.

He maintained that investing in journalists would ultimately strengthen responsible journalism, improve the quality of industry reporting and promote a better-informed society.

Akodu observed that maritime journalism has become increasingly specialised, requiring practitioners to develop adequate knowledge of international trade, customs administration, port operations and other technical aspects of the maritime industry.

He therefore encouraged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and resolutions by establishing practical partnerships and sustainable initiatives that would strengthen professional capacity and promote the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

He added that the future of the industry would depend not only on modern infrastructure and efficient administrative processes but also on credible information, institutional transparency, responsible leadership and effective stakeholder collaboration.

According to him, the media must continue to play an active role in shaping public discourse, monitoring policy implementation and communicating the impact of government initiatives to Nigerians.

While congratulating the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists on the successful organisation of the conference, Akodu commended all stakeholders who contributed to its success and urged participants to engage in the deliberations with open minds and a shared commitment to national development.

He expressed confidence that the outcome of the conference would produce actionable recommendations, stronger stakeholder relationships and meaningful reforms capable of improving efficiency, competitiveness and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

He wished participants fruitful deliberations and expressed optimism that the resolutions reached would translate into practical actions for the benefit of the maritime sector and the nation at large.