Customs Western Marine Command Foils Smuggling of Explosives, Cannabis Worth ₦582m
Author: Femi Anamelechi.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, has intercepted explosives-making materials, cannabis, and other contraband with a duty paid value of ₦582.2 million.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, disclosed this at a media briefing on Thursday, 18 September 2025, at the command headquarters in Lagos.
He revealed that operatives seized 86 sacks of stolen ammonium sulphate and polypropylene valued at ₦4.5 million. “The chemicals were intercepted on the water after it was stolen from a boat en route to a fertilizer plant.”
Other seizures include 1,312 loaves of foreign Cannabis Sativa with a duty paid value of ₦232.8 million, 1,827 bags of foreign parboiled rice (₦204.6 million), 174 sacks of ammonium sulphate (₦15.6 million), and 42 kegs of PMS valued at ₦1.94 million. Also confiscated were 14 boat engines worth ₦73.3 million, 11 fibre boats (₦46.2 million), and three wooden boats (₦3.15 million).
Highlighting progress since assuming office two months ago, the CAC noted that the command had upgraded infrastructure, strengthened security, improved staff welfare, and enhanced patrol operations.
“These initiatives align with the NCS mandate under the leadership of the Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi. The Command is now better equipped to secure Nigeria’s maritime borders and combat illicit trade”, he stated.
He expressed gratitude to the CGC, the management team, officers and partner security agencies for their unwavering support and commitment.
The briefing also featured the decoration of 36 newly promoted officers. Comptroller Ntadi urged them to uphold professionalism and integrity in their new roles.
The event concluded with a formal handover of the seized items to Assistant Commander General Obadiah Buba Wakawa of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
