General
Customs Seizes 20,600 Litres of Petrol Worth N112.6m in Adamawa
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling campaign with a string of major interceptions across multiple border corridors, recovering 20,600 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of N112.6million.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Garba Bashir, made this announcement during a press conference at the Customs House in Yola, where he presented details of the Command’s latest operations aimed at curbing trans-border crimes and protecting public health.
According to him, the seized 20,600 litres of PMS, also known as petrol, were packed in 824 jerrycans of 25-litre capacity each.
The other recovered goods included 91 cartons of expired Tramadol capsules, 54 cartons of foreign soaps, and 64 pieces of complete raw donkey skins intended for illegal exportation.
Comptroller Bashir stated that the Command recorded 29 seizures within six weeks of intensive patrol and intelligence-driven operations along smuggling flashpoints, including the Mubi–Sahuda axis, the Girei–Wuro Bokki route, the Jamtari–Farang/Belel area, Wuro Alhaji, the Damare bank, the Gurin–Fufore axis, and the Yerima road in Gembu.
Speaking on the dangers posed by expired medical products, he disclosed that 91 cartons of Tramadol capsules were intercepted on August 30, 2025, in Mubi through coordinated enforcement and credible intelligence.
He warned that the spread of substandard and expired drugs could result in mass health crises, high mortality rates, and increased youth addiction.
“If these expired Tramadol capsules had found their way into circulation, they could have caused widespread harm, human capital deterioration, and unfair market competition. The Command will hand them over to NAFDAC immediately after this briefing, in line with Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023,” the Comptroller said.
He added that the Command would work closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to ensure the safe destruction of the seized drugs in a joint operation at a later date.
Regarding the interception of 64 raw donkey skins, Comptroller Bashir explained that the items were seized on September 30, 2025, at the Damare River Bank, following intelligence reports. The smugglers, he said, had concealed the skins in three sacks, awaiting nightfall to ferry them across the waterways into Cameroon.
He noted that the export of donkey skin contravenes Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff and Section 150 of the NCS Act 2023.
“The seizure represents the slaughter of 64 donkeys. If this illicit trade continues unchecked, the species risks extinction. Such activities are primarily driven by international demand, particularly from Asia,” he said.
Similarly, 54 cartons of foreign soap were seized along the Damare River Bank on October 3, 2025, at approximately 10:00 p.m. The importation, according to the CAC, contravenes Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff (2022–2026) and Section 233 of the NCS Act 2023.
He disclosed that the seized PMS would be auctioned to the public immediately after the press conference in accordance with the Service’s Standard Operating Procedure, with proceeds remitted into the Federation Account.
Emphasising the Command’s sustained engagement with border communities, the CAC said continuous dialogue with residents has helped disrupt smuggling networks and strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
He noted that cooperation with sister security agencies and other Customs units had greatly contributed to the Command’s operational success.
Comptroller Bashir commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his visionary leadership and consistent support in empowering field operations.
He extended gratitude to the media for their balanced reportage and urged journalists to continue educating the public on the dangers of smuggling to the nation’s economy and security.
“Let me state unequivocally that the Command will not relent in the fight against illicit trade until smuggling cartels and networks in Adamawa and Taraba States are completely dismantled within the confines of the law,” Comptroller Bashir said.
He concluded by assuring that the Command would remain vigilant in protecting Nigeria’s borders and upholding its mandate of revenue generation, national security, and trade facilitation.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu, has been congratulated by President Bola Tinubu on his 65th birthday.
In a statement released by the State House, the former Governor of Abia State was praised for his multifaceted roles and his service to the nation.
Mr Tinubu said his longtime friend and political ally has worked for the growth of Nigeria, having served as the Senate Chief Whip and currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
The SEDC is one of the regional development commissions established by the administration of President Tinubu to accelerate infrastructure, economic growth, and overall development across the South East geopolitical zone.
The President highlighted the lawmaker’s significant contributions during his tenure as Governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, as well as his continued dedication to the progress of the state and the nation at large.
He also acknowledged Mr Kalu’s accomplishments in the private sector, describing him as a media mogul and Chairman of SLOK Holding, who continues to play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic development.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s vision, resilience, industry and service to the nation and commitment to the progress of Abia are noteworthy,” President Tinubu remarked.
“I wish him long life, greater strength and increased wisdom as he continues his service to the nation,” the President concluded.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed Paradise Estate in Life Camp Extension, Abuja, following serious allegations of consumer rights violations.
The action was taken due to the estate’s alleged failure to deliver housing units to buyers despite receiving full payment.
The FCCPC also cited multiple public complaints and other offences as grounds for the enforcement.
According to the commission, numerous complaints had been lodged against Paradise Estate, but the management repeatedly failed to comply with regulatory directives.
The non-compliance prompted the FCCPC’s visitation and eventual sealing of the premises.
Speaking to reporters, the FCCPC’s Deputy Director of Surveillance, Marvin Nadah, noted that the developer was given a seven-day window to respond to an official summons but failed to comply.
In its defence, Paradise Homes’ Head of Legal, Mr Aloysius Ezenwa, argued that the transactions were protected under the existing “Contract of Sale.” The company expressed its dissatisfaction with the sealing, maintaining that the dispute is a contractual matter that should be settled before a tribunal.
However, the FCCPC maintained that its actions were lawful and that it had not been served with any court appeal to halt the process.
The commission reiterated its stance on prioritising the rights of Nigerian consumers and ensuring developers are held accountable.
It noted its commitment to protecting consumers from unfair business practices and warned other real estate developers to adhere strictly to contractual obligations and consumer protection laws.
The FCCPC’s involvement in a housing complaint comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the organisation has the powers to investigate consumers’ complaints involving banks and other financial institutions.
The banks, the court ruled, are answerable to FCCPC. It dismissed a suit filed by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and slammed N2 million on it.
The decision has been described as a big win for bank customers.
In a statement signed by its Corporate Affairs Director, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC’s chief executive, Mr Tunji Bello, said, “This is a big victory for bank customers.”
By Bon Peters
Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Onne Port complex in Rivers State were honoured at an event on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The ceremony was full of conviviality, renewal of camaraderie and more importantly a demonstration of love, affection and commitment as shown to the retirees by the management.
The Port Manager for Onne Port Complex, Mr Abdulrahmon Hussain, informed newsmen that the event was to appreciate the retirees who have shown commitment, laid foundation and also mentored most of the workforce at Onne.
“What the Nigerian Ports Authority Onne Port complex management is doing today is to appreciate our retirees,” he said.
“We believe that the foundation we are standing on today was laid by them. While in service, they have mentored our junior staff and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Port.
“Simply put, you know here is referred to as a family Port and we want to sincerely show them that they are still members of the family though retired,” he added.
Mr Hussain also praised the Managing Director of the NPC, Mr Abubakr Dantsoho, for giving welfare of employees a priority.
“Today’s event is the first of its kind at our Port but we promise to make it more memorable going forward.
“Apart from the multivitamins and other drugs we provided for them, I feel the most important thing is the demonstration of love and care which the management has shown them today, and I promise that the management will do more next year,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Onne Port complex Dr Bashir Kangiwa, applauded the Port Manager for the initiative describing it as the first of its kind.
He noted that when he was assigned to carry out the project from the Medical Department, he embraced the responsibility with all arms and was happy it was successful.
He hinted that the NPA has a policy that even as a retiree, they enjoy an unhindered access to the company’s medical facilities and could also be referred to another hospital if the ailment is beyond the organisation’s control.
One of the retirees, Mr Ndudim Amos Nwaji, a former NPA Senior Staff Association Chairman, thanked the management of Onne Port complex for the gesture.
He advised those in the leadership position of this country to borrow a leaf from the NPA management, insisting that the senior citizens of this country should be taken care of.
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