Skip to main content Skip to footer 
The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency at Onne Port, Rivers State, following repeated incidents of illegal cargo shipments, including arms and ammunition. The decision comes after mounting concerns over the port’s use for dangerous and illicit imports, posing significant threats to national security and public health.
Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, announced the emergency measures during a press conference in Eleme, Rivers State. “Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo,” Adeniyi said, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The government will implement emergency protocols over the next three months, thoroughly inspecting all suspicious containers to combat the influx of harmful goods.
This move follows a series of high-profile seizures by the Area 2 Command of the NCS at Onne Port. In a recent operation, 12 containers filled with contraband were intercepted, including military gear, pharmaceuticals, and large quantities of codeine syrup. Among the seized items were 4,800 pairs of camouflage boots, 562,600 bottles of codeine-laced cough syrup, and millions of tablets of restricted drugs such as Tramadol and Tapentadol, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N31 billion.
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port have necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne,” Adeniyi stated, referencing a large arms seizure earlier in the year. He also expressed concern that criminals continue to exploit Nigeria’s pro-trade policies, which aim to streamline import processes and boost exports, for illegal purposes.
The Customs chief emphasized the importance of collaboration with other security agencies to address the crisis, adding that the NCS will enforce strict inspections of containers whose owners fail to present them for examination. “If the owners do not come forward for examination, we will open these containers to verify their contents,” Adeniyi warned.
Despite the crackdown, Adeniyi reassured legitimate businesses that these measures would not hinder lawful trade, stating, “Our goal is to create a safer, more secure environment for genuine business activities to thrive.” He urged Nigerians to assist in providing intelligence on those behind the illicit activities, emphasizing that the situation at Onne Port is a national security concern.
The seized pharmaceuticals, including cough syrup and Tramadol, will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as part of an ongoing collaboration under a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies.
Adeniyi concluded by reaffirming the NCS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s health and safety, vowing to intensify efforts in intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation to curb the illegal importation of dangerous goods.
