General

Customs Area 11 Command Intercepts N20.5bn Contraband Goods

Published

9 months ago

21/07/2025

customs area 11 command N20.5bn contraband goods

By Bon Peters

Contraband goods tucked in 16 containers worth over N20.5 billion have been seized by personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Area 11 Command in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The items comprising 11 containers of illicit pharmaceutical drugs concealed within legitimate goods were intercepted by the agency in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, praised NAFDAC for supporting the fight against smuggling in the country, noting that the NCS “maintains steadfast commitment to President Bola Tinubu administration’s policy objectives of securing our borders, protecting public health, and safeguarding national security.”

According to him, by building upon established operational successes, the service has intensified intelligence-led enforcement across all commands, particularly as it has focused on high-risk corridors and ports of entry.

He noted that his agency’s strategic partnerships with NAFDAC, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have demonstrably enhanced customs enforcement capabilities.

Mr Adeniyi maintained that, “Pursuant to Section 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and in exercise of powers conferred therein, the Port Harcourt 11 Area Command has executed a series of targeted interdictions that underscore our operational effectiveness in protecting Nigerian citizens from the infiltration of prohibited substances.”

“The command has successfully intercepted 16 containers with an aggregate Duty Paid Value of N20.5 billion as calculated in accordance with service valuation protocols,” he stated, revealing that 11 containers were found to contain illicit pharmaceutical products comprising 1,301,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), 9,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, 12,600,000 tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg each), 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol (5mg each), 210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg each), 717,360 tablets of Bisoveu, and 2,200,000 tablets of Bassuka (50mg each).

He disclosed that the contraband items were strategically concealed within legitimate consumer goods, including 9,280 pieces of chilly cutters, 118 pieces of ceiling fans, 2,610 pieces of plumbing materials, 2,268 pieces of smart vehicle parts, 97,200 tins of tomato paste, and 700 cartons of cream.

The customs chief praised personnel of the command led by Mr Mohammed Babandede for the seizure, noting that through their vigilance, professionalism and dedication to duty, they successfully executed those complex interdictions, insisting that their actions exemplify the core values of the service and demonstrated its collective commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders and citizens.

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Nigeria Pushes Bid to Host AU Monetary Institute

Published

56 minutes ago

17/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has intensified its bid to host the African Union (AU) African Monetary Institute (AMI), with the Federal Ministry of Finance leading coordinating efforts to secure the institution ahead of its planned 2026 operationalisation.

The renewed push was made on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., where Nigeria is advancing its case as a credible host for the continental institution central to Africa’s monetary integration agenda.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Raymond Omachi, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, underscored the country’s full political and institutional backing for the initiative. He stated that Nigeria has moved beyond policy commitments to concrete delivery, with the necessary infrastructure and administrative arrangements already in place.

The Nigerian government emphasised that hosting the institute aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic strategy of positioning Abuja as a hub for continental financial coordination.

It noted that the institute represents a critical step toward deeper monetary cooperation, improved macroeconomic convergence, and a more integrated African financial system.

Earlier, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, had reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness through his representative, the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mr Muhammad Abdullahi.

He indicated that a dedicated office facility has already been secured in Abuja and made available for inspection, reflecting the country’s preparedness to meet host country obligations.

According to the Ministry, Nigeria remains actively engaged with the African Union and is prepared to conclude all required agreements to ensure a seamless take-off of the institute within the stipulated timeline.

The African Monetary Institute, approved in February, is designed to strengthen policy coordination, stabilise exchange rate frameworks, and lay the groundwork for eventual monetary unification across the continent.

On his part, the Chief Economist and Vice President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Kevin Urama, noted that the institute would strengthen financial stability, improve debt sustainability, and address structural constraints posed by multiple currencies across the continent.

Nigeria hosting the institute would mark the presence of another African-based organisation in Africa’s most populous country, which also plays host to the African Energy Bank.

General

Army Foils Oil Theft Operation, Arrests 14 Suspects Near Dangote Refinery

Published

2 hours ago

17/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Troops of the 81 Division Nigerian Army have successfully foiled an illegal petroleum bunkering operation and arrested 14 suspected oil thieves at the Lekki Free Zone general area near the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State.

According to the troops, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, they conducted a swift and coordinated operation in the early hours of Thursday, April 16, 2026, at about 0130 hours.

During the operation, the suspects were apprehended while actively siphoning petroleum products.

The criminals had illegally connected a long pipeline from the high sea to a tanker concealed in a bush location and were using a generator-powered pumping machine to transfer the products into the vehicle.

On sighting the approaching troops, the suspects attempted to flee but were swiftly overpowered and arrested by the soldiers, with their operational equipment confiscated.

Items recovered from the scene include a petroleum tanker truck loaded with siphoned petroleum products, one Lexus Highlander SUV with Registration Number APP 67 JQ Lagos, one Ford Hilux vehicle with Registration Number BY 117 FST Lagos, one pumping machine, one 40HP boat engine, and a large quantity of industrial hosepipes and other related bunkering equipment.

The arrested suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army for preliminary investigation and subsequent handover to the appropriate prosecuting agencies in accordance with extant laws.

The Nigerian Army reiterates its unwavering commitment to combating crude oil theft and other economic sabotage, particularly within critical national infrastructure zones.

The Army in the statement said, “Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to the military and other security agencies to enhance ongoing operations.”

General

Reps Okay N248.6bn Relief, 10-Year Debt Plan for Ikeja Electric, Two Others

Published

4 hours ago

17/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The House of Representatives, via its Public Accounts Committee, has approved a N248.6 billion financial relief package alongside a 10-year debt restructuring plan for Kano, Jos and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

The decision followed the adoption of a report by a technical subcommittee set up to review findings in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report, which highlighted rising indebtedness among electricity distribution firms.

The approved framework covers N128.57 billion in accrued interest spanning 2015 to September 2025, as well as N120.06 billion in historical debts. This brings the combined liability of the three DisCos to N248,637,089,278.83.

Chairman of the subcommittee, Mr Mark Chidi Obetta, said the intervention is aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s electricity market and addressing legacy financial burdens affecting the sector.

He noted that the measure forms part of broader legislative efforts to restore financial sustainability within the power distribution segment.

Findings from the report indicate that the total debt owed by the country’s 11 DisCos rose from N1 trillion in December 2024 to N1.3 trillion as of September 2025, covering both principal and accrued interest.

According to data from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), Abuja DisCo owes N275.16 billion, Kaduna DisCo N303.8 billion, and Jos DisCo N104.37 billion. Kano DisCo’s debt stands at N96.62 billion, while Ikeja DisCo owes N47.63 billion.

The committee said its investigation was designed to verify the Auditor-General’s claims, determine the current debt profile of the DisCos, and uncover reasons for persistent defaults in payment obligations.

During the review, Jos, Ikeja and Kano DisCos challenged the imposition of interest charges, arguing that existing Market Rules did not expressly provide for such penalties. This prompted regulatory clarification from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

In a directive issued in January 2026, NERC instructed NBET not to charge interest on outstanding invoices between 2015 and 2020, but permitted interest charges on debts from 2021 onward.

The regulator also ordered that interest linked to delays associated with Meristem be disregarded, directing NBET to recompute liabilities, including the N128 billion interest attributed to the three DisCos.

As part of the resolution, the committee recommended that the affected DisCos restructure their N120.06 billion historical debts over a period not exceeding 10 years.

It further directed that N13.39 billion in liabilities incurred by Kano DisCo during its period under government receivership be transferred to the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), in line with established sector precedents.

The committee also called on NERC to mandate NBET to waive N128.57 billion in interest accrued between 2015 and September 2025, citing the escrow arrangement under which DisCos do not have direct access to their revenue collections.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Bamidele Salam, urged all electricity distribution companies to meet their market obligations going forward, warning that failure to implement urgent financial and regulatory reforms could further threaten the sustainability of the sector.