Headlines

Stakeholders admonish NDLEA to be diligent in handling drug cases on board vessels to avoid wrong prosecution

Funso OLOJO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been advised to consider reviewing its stance when drugs are found on board ships, as shipowners in most drug bursts do not have any connection to the importation of the drugs.

This was canvassed in a paper presented by Mr. Suresh Prabhakar, Director, operations, Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Hong Kong at a maritime security conference organised by Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO) in Lagos on Thursday.

The event with the theme “Drugs &human smuggling/Trafficking: the evolving maritime security threats to ships and seafarers” had an array of maritime practitioners and security experts in attendance.

Mr Suresh in his presentation said that from February 2021 to July 2024, a troubling trend emerged in Lagos, Nigeria, as four bulk carriers laden with sugar from Santos, Brazil, became embroiled in drug-related incidents that have had far-reaching consequences for both the ship owners and the crew members.

Each of these ships was found to have significant quantities of cocaine on board, ranging from 18 to 43 kilograms, leading to prolonged detentions by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to him, each ship faced four to six months of delays while investigations were carried out, only to be released after the owners posted substantial bonds ranging from $2 to $5 million.

He said that on average, ten crew members per ship were detained, and their bail was set at $40,000 per person, allowing them to stay in a hotel instead of a detention facility. However, this bail money, totaling $400,000 for ten crew members, did little to alleviate the psychological and emotional toll of their extended detention.

He maintained that the situation has been particularly dire for crew members on two of the ships, who were detained for approximately 20 months before being released after numerous court hearings. For the remaining two ships, the crew members are still detained in Lagos, with their court cases ongoing.

Shockingly, Mr Suresh said one crew has been in detention for 34 months, while the other has endured 13 months of confinement.

“The mental and physical scars such incidents leave on crew members and their families are immense,” a maritime industry insider commented. “Careers are often destroyed, leaving many families in severe financial and emotional distress.”

“The financial burden on ship owners is also significant. Beyond the bonds and legal costs, they must cover the crew’s salaries and the upkeep of their families during these extended detentions.

“The impact on the industry is profound, as owners are forced to reconsider trade routes to avoid the risk of similar incidents.

“Such cases adversely impact the ability of ship owners to engage in such trades,” the insider added. “Several owners and operators are now choosing alternative trade routes.”

Suresh stated that given the significant risks of drug smuggling on board ships and the challenges faced by crews and ship owners, there are growing calls for the NDLEA to reconsider its stance.

“It would be prudent for the NDLEA to adopt similar practical measures as in the USA, Europe, and Brazil.

” This would prevent unnecessary delays for ships and crews when drugs are found on board, as the consequences for them are very dire,” he said

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola noted that there has been a troubling increase in Maritime threats, particularly those related to drugs and human trafficking.

Represented by Mr Heaky Dimowo, a Director of Marine Environment Management at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Minister stated that these activities are not merely criminal acts; they erode our social fabric, destabilize communities and challenge the law enforcement at sea.

“They pose a significant risk to the Maritime and Security of seafarers and vessels. Today we must confront the fact that our waters are increasingly viewed as a transit route to illicit activities.

“It is essential that we develop comprehensive strategies to address these evolving threats by leveraging technological innovations, enhancing our intelligence capabilities and fostering collaboration among critical stakeholders.

“Together, we can develop multifaceted responses that effectively combat these challenges”

In his welcome speech, the President of MASPAN-AMANO, Emmanuel Maiguwa described drug smuggling and human trafficking as transnational crimes that exploit both the points of origin and destination, and unfortunately, maritime transport provides the mobility needed to actualise these illicit crimes.

Maiguwa said that records from the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) have shown that West Africa is a transit region for narcotics mostly emanating from South America.

“With recent incidents involving merchant ships (excluding cases of drugs concealed in cargo containers) from South America to Nigeria rising to about four (4) within the last two (2) years, this maritime corridor proves to be providing mobility for this illicit activity.

“On the issue of human trafficking, records from Africa Risk Compliance (ARC) show a significant number of incidents where stowaways have been discovered on ships calling Nigerian ports. Take note that these are discovered cases only.

“While we may not present specific records linking stowaways to drug smuggling operations, it is of great concern that drug traffickers could potentially collaborate with stowaway networks.

“This partnership could lead to a coordinated effort to use stowaways as couriers, moving drugs from West Africa to Europe,” he said

Maiguwa said that both MASPAN and AMANO is in support of the fight against all forms of trafficking and smuggling, including Drugs and humans.

“We are mainly focused on addressing responses to these crimes as they occur within the maritime corridor.

“We aim to ensure that perpetrators of these crimes are apprehended and fully punished of the law without subjecting the innocent to unnecessary difficulties that are counterproductive to the growth of shipping”

“The cost burden of a stowaway incident can vary based on discovery location, the distance the ship has sailed to, the number of the stowaways, the off-hire period to offload, and many other factors. In cases where the ship has reached a foreign destination, repatriation expenses can easily cost hundreds of thousands of US dollars, depending on the time taken to process and return and the stowaways.

“Should Nigeria be fully recognised as a destination with such difficulties in handling cases of drugs found on ships and poor port-ship access control, the shipping industry is expected to always respond to defend and protect itself with measures.

“An example is the War Risk Insurance premium, which is a response to risks such as piracy,” Maiguwa said

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.