By Bon Peters,
The Nigeria Customs Service, Eastern Marine Command, says it has seized fuel, pharmaceuticals, and endangered wildlife during intensified operations along the Oron and Calabar waterways.
Comptroller A.B. Jaja, who led an on-the-spot inspection on Thursday, emphasized that the Command remained fully alert against illegal trade and economic sabotage.
This was made known in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Emmanuel Tangwa, on Monday.
According to the statement, at the Oron Outstation in Akwa Ibom State, Comptroller Jaja displayed recent seizures, including 3,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), assorted pharmaceuticals valued at N12,049,612 in duty, and two large sacks containing parts of endangered species, such as chimpanzee heads, parrots, and helmeted hornbills, in violation of CITES regulations. All items were secured in the government warehouse in Calabar.
Comptroller Jaja praised the vigilance of his officers and the intelligence support from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Ibaka, noting that such collaboration had strengthened enforcement. He warned maritime operators that anyone caught smuggling goods or trading in wildlife would face prosecution, and passengers transporting wildlife parts would also be treated as offenders under national and international law.
He highlighted that the fight against illegal wildlife trade was a coordinated effort involving Customs, environmental agencies, and security organizations, and commended Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing both global and local wildlife regulations.
“Nigeria stands tall in the fight against trade in endangered species, thanks to the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he added.
On PMS smuggling, Comptroller Jaja, who described the act as economic sabotage, stressed that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
Seized pharmaceuticals, including expired and illegally imported items, were handed over to the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of NAFDAC, John Naeche, in accordance with regulatory procedures. Mr. Naeche commended the Command for its efforts and said NAFDAC would notify Customs of the scheduled destruction of the items.
Earlier in the day, Comptroller Jaja met with maritime stakeholders in Oron, urging compliance with regulations and lawful trade. He later visited Calabar, where he inspected the Command’s jetty and discussed operational strategies with Comptroller C.G. Ogbonna of the Cross River/FTZA/Akwa Ibom Command.
Comptroller Jaja reaffirmed that the Eastern Marine Command was committed to ensuring Nigeria’s waterways were safe, free from illegal activities, and supportive of lawful trade.
