By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command on Wednesday 4th February 2026 handed over a Narcotic suspect with seized illicit Drugs worth #4.76 Bilion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) as part of a reinforced commitment geared towards fostering inter-agency collaboration in the fight against illicit Drug trafficking through the Ports The handing over of the seized illicit drugs with the arrested suspect to NDLEA officials lends support to the joint resolve of both agencies to safeguard public health and secure Nigeria’s Sea poets Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, pointed out that the operation reflects the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) International Customs Day theme: “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment.”“On Wednesday, 28 January 2026, after an extensive physical examination by our officers, in collaboration with relevant agencies and the declarant, a 1×40ft container with number HLXU841299/0 was discovered to contain 55 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica, and one Colt’s MK IV Series 70.45 automatic pistol with an empty magazine”, CAC said.
Comptrollers Frank Onyeka disclosed that the seized drugs comprised 2,366 packages with a combined weight of 1,183 kilograms, with one suspect arrested in connection with the seizure. He further pointed out that the recovered firearm would also be transferred to the appropriate agency for proper management The CAC reaffirmed NCS zero-tolerance on drug trafficking , snuggling and other crimes. “Drug smuggling, in any form, will not be tolerated. The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding national security and public health”.The high point of the ceremony was the handing over of seized drugs and suspect to officials of NDLEA. NDLEA Commander of Narcotics, Tincan Strategic Command, Solomon Omotosho in his response described the success as a direct outcome of the Memorandum Understanding of (MoU) signed between the two agencies. The Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Mohammed Babandedevearlier during his speech , commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command for their diligence and commitment to achieving Nigeria Custom Service statutory mandate. “Last year, Tincan Command did well with revenue collection, anti-smuggling and priotising public health. I am here to give you a morale booster for what you have been doing for the Service”, he noted. The Zonal Commander Zone A was at the Command in line his oversight visit to assess operational effectiveness, reinforce the Service’s commitment to revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and the protection of public health.
