By Femi Anamelechi
Nigeria Customs Service Western Marine Command has disclosed the seizure 86 sacks of stolen Ammonium Sulphate and Polypropylene valued at ₦4.5 million. Ammonium Sulphate is usually used in making explosives and also at fertilizer plants. Customs Area Comptroller ( CAC Patrick Ntardi in charge of the command pointed out that the dangerous substances were intercepted on the water after it was stolen from a boat taking it to a fertilizer plant.CAC Patrick Ntardi disclosed this during media briefing at the office of Western Marine Area Command on Thursday 18th September 3025He pointed out that other contrabands seized include 1,312 loaves of foreign Cannabis Sativa with a duty paid value of ₦232.8M, 1,827 bags of foreign parboiled rice (₦204.6M), 174 sacks of Amsul valued at ₦15.6M, 42 kegs of PMS with duty paid value of ₦1.94M.According to him the command also seized 14 boat engines valued at ₦73.3M, as well as 11 fiber boats valued at ₦46.2M and three wooden boats valued at ₦3.15M.
The total duty paid value of all the seizures is ₦582.2 million.CAC Patrick Ntardi highlight the transformative progress made by the Command since his assumption of office two months ago, These developments he emphasized include infrastructure upgrades, enhanced security, welfare improvements, and significant anti-smuggling operations.He stated the strategic role of security the at the command which underscored the need for Security Reinforcement and evacuation of hoodlums from areas outside the perimeter fence. To ensure this Western Marine Command constructed a new security post at the Command gate.He further pointed out Installation of a large signpost to enhance the command’s identity with Greenfield landscaping to enhance the Command’s professional image.As part of efforts to enhance operational capacity of officers the command also refurbished two patrol vehicles to boost land-side logistics.
CAC Patrick Ntardi stated that for the welfare of officers and men, he provided modern toilet facilities and a canteen to improve staff morale and working conditions.He highlighted that :”These initiatives align with the Nigeria Customs Service’s mandate under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.”The Command is now better equipped to secure Nigeria’s maritime borders and combat illicit trade,” He said. He expressing his gratitude to the CGC, the management team, officers, and partner security agencies for their unwavering support and commitment.The highpoint of the event was the decoration of 28 senior officers and 8 junior officers, including the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Sumfay Okopi. The CAC urged the newly promoted officers and men to uphold professionalism and integrity in their new roles. CAC Patrick Ntardi later handed over the seized Contrabands to Assistant Commander General Obadiah Buba Wakawa from NDLEA
