*Nigeria Customs Service Cracks Down on Smuggling in Western Marine Command*

By Lod Onyeji

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made significant seizures of smuggled goods in the Western Marine Command, dealing a major blow to criminal networks involved in illicit trade. The Area Controller of Customs, Western Marine Command, Comptroller PN Ntadi, revealed the details of the seizures at a press conference held on June 24, 2025, at the Western Marine Command in Ibafon-Apapa, Lagos.

*Seizures and Items Confiscated*

The NCS seized a total of 2,017 bags of rice, 481 loaves of cannabis, 72 bundles of foreign textiles, and 7 bags of sugar, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N352,952,200. The seizures also included 4 locally constructed fibre boats and 5 locally constructed wooden boats.

*Operational Highlights*

The NCS's success in making these seizures is attributed to enhanced intelligence gathering, improved collaboration with other security agencies, and the deployment of more patrol vessels along the coastlines and inland waterways. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, has been instrumental in supporting the fight against smuggling operations, providing critical resources and equipment to the Western Marine Command.

*Call to Action*

The Area Controller urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illegal trade in the waterways. He emphasized that collective efforts are essential in safeguarding the country's economic integrity and social order.

*Commitment to Upholding the Law*

The Western Marine Command is committed to upholding the laws of the land, protecting citizens, and ensuring that justice is served. The NCS's efforts to crack down on smuggling and illegal activities are part of a broader strategy to protect the economy and promote legitimate trade.

The NCS's successes in the Western Marine Command demonstrate its dedication to protecting the country's borders and ensuring that smugglers have no safe haven on Nigerian waterways.