Again, NCS intercepts container loaded with military uniforms in Onne Port

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a significant haul of military hardware and illegal drugs at Onne Port, Rivers State.

The seized items, found in twelve 40-foot containers, are estimated to be worth N31.2 billion.

Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi expressed deep concern over the rising trend of dangerous imports, including arms and ammunition, passing through the port.

In response, the NCS will enact emergency protocols at Onne Port for the next three months and conduct rigorous inspections of all suspicious containers.

Adeniyi highlighted the recurring incidents as a growing threat to national security and public health, as Onne Port is increasingly becoming a destination for dangerous and illicit goods.

In July, the NCS reported a seizure of containers carrying arms worth N13.9 billion at Onne Port, and similar seizures have occurred since.

Describing the situation as a grave concern for the government, Adeniyi listed the intercepted items, which included one 40-foot container containing around 4,800 pairs of military/paramilitary camouflage rain boots and 67,320 pairs of various rubber footwear; three 40-foot containers holding 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 chilli cutters; and three 40-foot containers containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine.

Other items included 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and five 40-foot containers containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, and 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol.

The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the 12 seized containers amounted to a staggering N31,200,688,142.

Adeniyi assured the business community and legitimate importers that these measures are not intended to disrupt lawful trade but to create a safer and more secure environment for genuine business activities to flourish.