Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has sounded a grave warning about the increasing involvement of customs officers and bonded terminal officials in drug trafficking operations orchestrated by drug barons.
Speaking at an event following a significant drug seizure at the Tin-Can Port, Adeniyi underscored the serious legal repercussions awaiting those implicated in such activities.
He disclosed that the NCS has intensified efforts to identify and root out corrupt elements within and outside the service who aid in the movement of drug consignments without proper scrutiny.
Adeniyi highlighted that the syndicate often exploits loopholes by diverting containers from ports to private locations instead of designated bonded warehouses.
“We are committed to naming, shaming, and arresting those involved,” Adeniyi affirmed, stressing the collaborative role of sister agencies, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in the fight against drug trafficking.
The NCS recently displayed seized hemp valued at approximately N4.2 billion, underscoring their resolve to curb illicit drug activities through rigorous scrutiny and enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
The revelations by Adeniyi signal a renewed crackdown on drug trafficking syndicates operating within Nigeria’s ports, aimed at safeguarding national security and upholding regulatory integrity.