National security breach: NCS declares state of emergency on Onne Port
By Barth Ndubuwah,Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has declared a state of emergency on Onne Port, in Rivers State, following repeated importation of ‘dangerous cargo’ through the port, thereby breaching national security.
Comptroller General of Customs (CGC),Bashir Adeniyi disclosed this Wednesday at Onne, while briefing the Press on the new ugly trend in recent times at the port.
According to the CGC, “As I express delight that trade facilitation is getting traction in Onne Port, I cannot help but call your attention to a grave concern. This has to do with repeated incidents of national security breaches unfolding in Onne Port.”
Mr Adeniyi said he regretted that Onne Port is now being used as a transit camp for importation of illicit cargo, recalling a cache of arms and ammunition that were recently seized from the same Onne Port.
“It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches. The attempt to test our will through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port.
“Coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms, a couple of months ago,it is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts. Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend. Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo.
“The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens,” the CGC posited.
Throwing more light on the seizures,the CGC said a total of twelve containers of illicit goods were intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and meticulous physical examination by officers and men of Customs Area II Command,Onne.
These, he said were 40-feet containers of different sizes containing contraband ranging from military/paramilitary camouflage rain boots, pairs of rubber footwear, bottles of 100ml cough Syrup with codeine, pieces of chilly cutters, tablets of royal tramadol hydrochloride, tablets of tapentadol and carisoprodol.
Others the CGC said are, tablets of 50mg really extra Diclofenac, tablets of 5mg trodol benzhexol,among others.
These 12 seized contraband containers he said have total Duty Paid Value (DVP) of N31,200,688,142.
He assured Nigerians, especially the business community that the measures taken against Onne Port are not meant to disrupt lawful trade, but to create a safer, more secure environment for genuine business activities to thrive.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that lawful shipments are processed as quickly and efficiently as possible during this period.
He lauded the officers of Port Harcourt Area II Command,Onne for their relentless efforts in safeguarding our nation, urging them to sustain the tempo.
