By Seyi Odewale
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Tincan Island Port Strategic Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller, Tincan Island Port, Dera Nnadi, are collaborating to enhance port security aimed at combating drug trafficking, boosting revenue generation, and facilitating trade.
Dera, who received the NDLEA Tincan delegation, emphasized the significance of collaboration toward actualizing critical national goals and priorities. “I am glad to welcome you and your team to my office. This partnership is essential, not only to secure our port but also to boost legitimate trade in the overall interest of our country. We are committed to ensuring that trade is conducted in a safe and efficient manner,” Nnadi noted.
At the advocacy engagement that took place at the weekend, the officials underscored the importance of collaboration between the two agencies to adequately tackle pressing issues related to smuggling and illicit drug trafficking.
Ofoyeju noted that he was determined to make Tincan Island Port invincible to drug trafficking cartels. “I have the mandate of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), to implement strict measures that will accentuate zero tolerance for drug trafficking at the port,” he said.
He emphasised the critical need for synergy and collaboration in tandem with the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service. “Our cardinal objective is to create a united front against drug trafficking through the sharing of intelligence to enhance our operational capabilities and respond swiftly to emerging threats,” the commander stated during the meeting.
According to him, seaports play a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce, and as key players, they have a responsibility to promote efficiency and integrity in seaport operations. “It is pertinent to prioritise safety and security through effective drug control measures and other key responsibilities aimed at facilitating trade and commerce under the presidential initiative of the ease of doing business,” he added.
Key issues discussed at the meeting included joint training programs and the use of technology aimed at equipping personnel from both agencies with the skills necessary to effectively detect and interdict illicit drug consignments. This initiative is expected to strengthen their operational effectiveness and improve inter-agency cooperation. It is equally aimed at preventing the trafficking of narcotics, particularly lethal synthetic opioids like fentanyl and others.
Both leaders agreed on the urgent need to educate port workers and the public about the dangers of drug abuse. “An informed workforce is our best defence against drug-related crimes. We must take proactive steps to raise awareness,” Nnadi added.
Joint inspections of cargoes were highlighted as another area for collaboration. The two agencies recognised that coordinated inspections would not only deter drug smuggling but also facilitate smoother trade processes, aligning with the federal government’s presidential policy on the ease of doing business.
The highlight of the meeting was Dera’s decoration by Commander Ofoyeju as the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Ambassador, with both expressing optimism on the potential impact of their collaboration on national security and trade facilitation.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA in a statement by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi in Abuja, yesterday, said 162,351 bottles of codeine-based syrup from two containers were intercepted at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
According to Babafemi, operatives of the agency made the arrest at a joint examination of two containers with men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies on October 15, adding that 7,200,000 pills of Royal 225mg Tapentadol and Carisoprodol worth over N3.6bn in street value were recovered.
The spokesman also said they were seized from a watch-listed container from India at Port Harcourt, Port Complex, Onne, Rivers on October 15.
“In the same container, 780 cartons of chlorphenamine containing 15,600,000 million pills of the opioid, were also recovered.
“From two other watch-listed containers equally searched at the port in Onne, a total of 337,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth over N2.3 billion were recovered from them on October 15 and October 17.
“This brings the total value of the seized Tapentadol, Carisoprodol, and Codeine consignments at the two seaports to over N7 billion, “he said.
Also, a 33-year-old suspect (name withheld) was arrested along Bauchi-Jos Road with 76,600 pills of tramadol concealed in false compartments of his Toyota Sienna vehicle marked Enugu JRV 341 ZY.
According to him, operatives of the agency in Ondo State on October 15, arrested three suspects (names withheld) at Afo village where 672kg of marijuana was seized from them.
He said: “A raid at Illushi forest in Esan South East LGA, Edo State led to the destruction of 10,590.36kg cannabis spread on 4.236144 hectares of farmland,” adding: “Two suspects (names withheld) aged 65 and 35 had been apprehended during the raid.
