Index to Nigerian Newspapers

During a half-year press briefing, Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service Apapa Area Command, announced major enforcement successes between January and June 2025. The command seized 27 containers of prohibited and illegally imported goods with a total duty paid value of 9.2 billion Naira. These confiscated items included unregistered pharmaceuticals, codeine syrup, expired margarine, second-hand clothing, stolen vehicles, matches without an End User Certificate, and wild animal skins. Babatunde Olomu strongly condemned the smuggling of wild animal parts, noting that it violates the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Additionally, the command sealed three bonded terminals due to various infractions, leading to one active court prosecution and two ongoing investigations. Beyond anti-smuggling operations aimed at protecting local industries and public health through strict scanning and physical examinations, the command generated 1.37 trillion Naira in revenue, marking a 35 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. To further improve trade efficiency, the command has also initiated discussions with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other stakeholder associations to establish a standard operating procedure for transporting goods by rail from the Apapa Port to other states across Nigeria.

The Federal Operations Unit Zone A Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Customs Area Controller Kola Oladeji, intercepted 707 contraband consignments valued at 18.7 billion Naira in duty-paid value between January 2024 and December. The wide-ranging seizures included 48,912 fifty-kilogram bags of foreign parboiled rice, 191,975 litres of petrol, 7,861 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 6,168 pieces of dried donkey skins, 37,630 sachets of tramadol, 207 vehicles, 6,755 cartons of frozen poultry, 1,433 bales of second-hand clothing, 1,773 refrigerator compressors, and 317 cartons of illicit medications. Through strict documentary verification and demand notices issued for underpaid duties, the command recovered 1.012 billion Naira in revenue, while arresting 94 suspects six of whom have been convicted—and launching Operation Swift Sting to intensify pressure on smuggling networks.

Nigeria’s return to Category C of the International Maritime Organisation Council, following a 14-year absence, reflects a vote of confidence in its role in the international maritime system, according to Minister Adegboyega Oyetola. During a lunch for International Maritime Organisation delegates in London, Oyetola emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to global maritime engagement after its election victory at the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly. The minister highlighted the election's significance for Nigeria's standing in the maritime community and outlined ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing maritime safety, security, and infrastructure. He pledged Nigeria's dedication to multilateralism and advocacy for developing nations within the Council, ensuring contributions that are inclusive and focused on global maritime challenges. Oyetola expressed gratitude for the international support received and vowed to deliver measurable outcomes during Nigeria's tenure from 2026 to 2027.