Customs Deploys 7 Patrol Boats to Tackle Smuggling
The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations along the nation’s waterways with the deployment of seven patrol vessels to the Western Marine Command, in a move aimed at curbing maritime crimes and safeguarding national revenue.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, approved the deployment of the vessels—comprising two gunboats and five logistics boats—which were officially handed over to the Command on Monday, April 13, 2026. The addition significantly expands the Command’s operational fleet, enhancing its patrol coverage and rapid response capabilities across critical maritime corridors.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Comptroller of the Western Marine Command, Patrick Ntadi, described the deployment as a strategic step toward strengthening enforcement operations in Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.
He noted that the acquisition of the vessels underscores the Service’s commitment to tackling smuggling and other transnational crimes, while improving the operational readiness of its personnel.
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“These assets demonstrate our resolve to secure Nigeria’s waterways against economic sabotage. With improved logistics and enhanced mobility, our officers are better positioned to respond swiftly and effectively,” Ntadi said.
He added that the expanded fleet addresses previous logistical constraints and serves as a major boost to ongoing anti-smuggling efforts, particularly along key routes known for illicit trade activities.
Ntadi further emphasised the need for sustained vigilance, noting that smuggling operations continue to evolve, requiring proactive and adaptive enforcement strategies supported by inter-agency collaboration.
To ensure effective utilisation of the new assets, officers of the Command recently underwent intensive training facilitated by SEWA Africa Ltd, the contractor responsible for supplying the vessels. The training focused on vessel handling, safety procedures, and operational efficiency.
A representative of the firm, Steven Okitiape, said the programme was designed to enhance both technical competence and safety awareness among personnel, enabling them to maximise the performance of the boats.
The deployment is part of broader efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service to strengthen maritime security, disrupt illegal trade networks, and reinforce its mandate of revenue protection and border control.
By PRNigeria
