The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to implement 100% cargo scanning at the Onne Port in Rivers State, a significant move aimed at bolstering surveillance and interdicting dangerous imports, including arms, ammunition, and illicit pharmaceuticals. This enhanced security measure follows a period of heightened concern over smuggling activities at the strategically vital port.
Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, announced the impending rollout during a press conference in Port Harcourt. He detailed that all goods processed through Onne Port and other ports within the zone will undergo pre-scanning, with captured imagery to be transmitted to the NCS headquarters in Abuja for in-depth analysis as required. This initiative mirrors the successful implementation of 100% scanning already underway at the Apapa Ports in Lagos, which the NCS reports is yielding positive results.
The decision to escalate scanning protocols at Onne Port is directly linked to a declaration of a state of emergency at the facility in September 2024 by the Comptroller General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi. This declaration followed the seizure of a substantial cache of weapons and illicit drugs. At the time, Adeniyi had also announced a three-month emergency protocol to scrutinise all incoming cargoes. Maiwada clarified that the “state of emergency” designation signifies Onne Port as a zone of special interest, not a cessation of import and clearance operations. The NCS is deploying increased resources and vigilance to prevent the ingress of contraband detrimental to national security and public welfare.
Maiwada underscored the NCS’s commitment to leveraging non-intrusive inspection technology, with scanning being a cornerstone of this strategy. He acknowledged that implementing such changes can face internal and external resistance but affirmed that 100% scanning is imminent at Onne Port. The system will ensure all imported items are pre-scanned, with images stored and available for analysis and transmission to headquarters. Future scanner acquisitions are expected to further bolster Onne Port’s inspection capabilities.
The NCS leadership views enhanced transparency and robust communication as critical drivers of institutional effectiveness and public trust. The media parley was convened to foster stronger collaboration with journalists, aiming to promote transparency, facilitate trade, enhance border security, and support national economic development. The NCS reiterated that public trust is fundamental to its operations, and the media plays an indispensable role in shaping public perception and disseminating government policies.
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