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Intelligence-Led Operations: Apapa Customs Intercepts 1.8tonnes of Cannabis ‎...seizes Expired Pharmaceuticals‎

Following series of intelligence led operations by the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the command recorded yet another significant breakthrough in its sustained fight against transnational organized crime, illicit trade, threats to national security and public health. ‎ ‎The command, under the able leadership of Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba , while acting on credible, actionable intelligence and utilizing advanced risk assessment tools, officers of the Command in collaboration with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, 15th June 2026 at about 1200hrs successfully intercepted 1 x 40FT container with number CAAU 7569127 conveying a large consignment of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as “Canadian Loud.” The operation also led to the recovery of 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, with each sachet weighing 500 grams. This brings the total weight to approximately 1,819 kilograms (1.81 tonnes). Preliminary field tests conducted on the...

NPA Musters Stakeholders to Curb Lekki Deep Seaport Gridlock‎

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, is currently mustering stakeholders operating along the Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos corridor to evolve measures to curb the worsening gridlock on the port access road. ‎ ‎ ‎The Management of the NPA in conjunction with the stakeholders recently resolved that the practice whereby trucks are parked indiscriminately on the road by truck drivers would no longer be tolerated. ‎ ‎The Lekki Port corridor serves as a major artery to Nigeria’s growing maritime and industrial activities, as many of the country’s industrial complexes and Free Trade Zones FTZ, are located in the area. ‎ ‎The duo agreed that the indiscriminate parking of trucks on the driveway must be checked as part of measures to eliminate the gridlock that has plagued the access roads leading to the multi- billion- dollar Lekki Deep Sea Port and other industrial complexes including the Dangote Refinery, among several others located in the area. ‎ ‎This is one of the resolutio...

Customs, Others Seizes Elephant Tusks Worth N126.4m, Arrests Four Suspects In Ogun State‎

‎ Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), have intercepted 22 pieces of Elephant tusks worth N126, 390,440.00 , 4 male suspects and a vehicle. ‎ ‎According to the Customs FOU Zone A Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi who disclosed this in a press release on 14th June, 2026, the operation which followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance and investigation, led to the interception of the tusks and the arrest of the suspects at Ofada, Mowe in Ogun State, while additional targets were apprehended simultaneously in Lagos. ‎ ‎Speaking on the development, the controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the seizure as a significant milestone in the fight against wildlife crime and a demonstration of the unit’s commitment to implementing the provisions of the Conventi...

COMPTROLLER ANANI SETS AGENDA FOR COMPLIANCE, TRADE FACILITATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

The Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, has commenced his stewardship of the Command with a series of strategic engagements, inspections and courtesy visits aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, fostering stakeholder confidence and enhancing inter-agency collaboration. ‎ ‎As part of his familiarisation tour, Comptroller Anani conducted an extensive inspection of Customs formations and terminals within the Command to obtain first-hand knowledge of available facilities, assess officers' working conditions and evaluate the overall operational environment. The inspection which signaled his first assignment was aimed at improving workplace standards and ensuring that officers are adequately positioned to deliver on the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service. ‎ ‎In his maiden stakeholder engagement, according to a release by the publice Relations Ofgicer of the command, Chief Superintendent of Custom CSC Oscar Ivara, the Comptroll...

Access Holdings Reaffirms Long-Term Value Strategy at 4th AGM

A ccess Holdings Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to long-term value creation, financial resilience and disciplined growth, assuring shareholders that its strategic focus remains firmly on building a stronger and more sustainable institution despite a challenging operating environment. ‎ ‎Speaking at the Group's 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the true measure of a financial institution is not simply its ability to grow but its ability to do so profitably, sustainably and with discipline over time. ‎ ‎He said the Group's 2025 performance reflected a deliberate strategy to strengthen its long-term fundamentals while maintaining solid financial results. ‎ ‎Access Holdings reported a Profit Before Tax of ₦1.007 trillion, supported by the strength of its diversified business model and expanding earnings across key markets. Total assets rose to ₦51.56 trillion while customer deposits recorded strong growth, reinforcing the confidenc...

Customs Unveils Special Operations Against Vegetable Oil Smuggling to Protect Local Investments‎

T he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to combat the smuggling of vegetable oil into the country, with plans to launch intelligence-driven special operations aimed at protecting local investments, preserving jobs and supporting the growth of the agricultural value chain. ‎ ‎The Comptroller-General of Customs, (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, according to a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this on Friday, 5 June 2026, during a meeting with stakeholders in the vegetable oil industry at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. ‎ ‎ Adeniyi said the Service remains committed to tackling smuggling through strategic enforcement, intelligence gathering, and stakeholder collaboration. He noted that Customs and operators in the vegetable oil sector share a common objective of protecting legitimate businesses, encouraging investment, and strengthening the national economy. ‎ ‎ CGC Ade...

Fidelity Bank Reaffirms Support for MSMEs, Drives Growth Agenda at SME Forum

L-R: Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Ugochi Osinigwe; Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; and Representative of the President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and Chairman of SMEs and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Trade Group, Mr. Jack Daboikiabo; at the Fidelity Bank SME Quarterly Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, recently. ‎ Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), positioning itself as a trusted partner beyond traditional banking and financing. ‎This commitment was reiterated by the bank’s management during a keynote address delivered by the Executive Director, South, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, at the recently held SME Quarterly Business Forum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. ‎ ‎The Forum, themed “Scaling Tr...

AREFFN INAUGURATES INTERIM LEADERSHIP AS RABIU BALA LAWAN RESIGNS‎

By Mcanthony Onuoha ‎ ‎ Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria- AREFFN has appointed Chief (Fwdr.) Francis Obiekezie, the Former National Secretary as interim President following the resignation of Alhaji Rabiu Bala Lawan. ‎ ‎In a press release signed by the Board Secretary Fwdr. Innocent Daniel Elum, and made available to journalists, the association stated that the appointment was made in line with its Constitution. ‎ ‎The statement reads in part; ‎"This is to inform the Maritime Industry Stakeholders, and the general public of a change in the leadership of our great Association." ‎ ‎"Following the resignation of Alhaji Rabiu Bala Lawan as President of AREFFN due to personal reasons, the Board of Trustees, in line with our Constitution, has appointed the National Secretary, Chief (Fwdr.) Francis Obiekezie, to act as President for the remainder of the current tenure. This appointment took effect from 6th June, 2026." ‎ ‎"All membe...

Maritime Journalists to Hold Seminar, Unveil Book on 'Customs Operational Revolution And Maritime Development Under President Tinubu

‎ About three years and few months into the life of the present administration, senior maritime journalists are to unveil a book which captures the performance indices in customs operations and general maritime development. ‎ ‎Part of the book presentation is a seminar with a topic titled ‘3 Years After Marine & Blue Economy Ministry, How Far, How Well?. This paper will be deliered by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola. ‎ ‎The book is about the comprehensive examination of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in both revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations and transformation within the country’s broader economic and trade architecture. ‎ The book also places particular emphasis on the reform trajectory and institutional performance under the leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as well as the maritime agencies, while situating these developments within the wider policy direction of the administration o...