Customs intensifies waterways patrols as year-end smuggling surge looms
Maureen Aguta
The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up surveillance and enforcement operations across Nigeria’s waterways ahead of an anticipated year-end surge in smuggling activities, warning economic saboteurs that there will be no room for illicit operations.
The Command has placed officers across its operational outposts on heightened alert, strengthening its waterways surveillance network to prevent smugglers from exploiting the busy end-of-year period to move prohibited goods, unregistered products and illicit substances into Nigerian communities.
The Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Thomas Jonah, gave the assurance on Friday when he received executives of the Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) on a courtesy visit.
Jonah said the Command had activated measures to sustain vigilance across its operational areas, explaining that the end of the year traditionally witnesses increased smuggling activities as criminal networks seek to take advantage of heightened commercial activities and movements of goods.
He disclosed that he had issued a marching order to officers to intensify surveillance and enforcement, insisting that no operational outpost would be allowed to become a weak link in the fight against smuggling.
“As the year is winding up, there is always a surge in smuggling activities. We are not relaxing. We are alert at all our outposts. I have given a marching order. Our officers are on top of things, to ensure nowhere is left open for smugglers and economic saboteurs,” he said.
The Acting Controller stressed that the Command would not lower its guard, particularly across waterways that could be exploited by smugglers to circumvent established border controls and bring prohibited items into the country.
He explained that the intensified operations were aimed not only at protecting the nation’s economy from the damaging consequences of illicit trade but also at safeguarding public health and security.
According to him, preventing banned and unregistered goods, as well as psychoactive substances, from entering Nigerian communities remains a major priority of the Command, given the potential dangers such products pose to society.
Jonah further underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling smuggling, noting that the Command was working with sister security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance and enforcement across its areas of responsibility.
He said the collaboration was critical to closing operational loopholes, improving the effectiveness of anti-smuggling operations and preventing criminal elements from using Nigeria’s waterways as escape routes or channels for illegal trade.
The Western Marine Command, which plays a strategic role in the NCS maritime enforcement architecture, is expected to sustain its presence across vulnerable waterways as the festive season approaches.
Jonah reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to discharge its statutory responsibilities without compromise, warning that officers would remain vigilant to ensure that smugglers and other economic saboteurs find no safe haven on the waterways.
The renewed enforcement drive comes amid the seasonal pressure on border control agencies to prevent the influx of prohibited goods during the end-of-year trading period, when increased demand for consumer products often creates opportunities for illicit trade.