The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, has stepped up surveillance across the nation’s waterways ahead of an anticipated increase in smuggling activities during the end-of-year period.

The command has placed officers at its operational outposts on heightened alert to prevent smugglers from exploiting the waterways to move prohibited goods and illicit substances into Nigerian communities.

The Acting Area Controller of the command, Thomas Jonah, disclosed this on Friday during a courtesy visit by executives of the Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON).

He said the command had intensified its enforcement efforts and directed officers to remain vigilant across all operational locations to ensure that smugglers had no opportunity to exploit security gaps.

Jonah noted that smuggling activities usually increased towards the end of the year, making sustained surveillance and effective enforcement particularly important.

“As the year is winding up, there is always a surge in smuggling activities. We are not relaxing. We are alert at all our outposts. I have given a marching order. Our officers are on top of things to ensure nowhere is left open for smugglers and economic saboteurs,” he said.

He assured that the command would give the waterways the attention required to prevent the movement of prohibited and unregistered goods, as well as psychoactive substances, into the country.

According to him, the circulation of such substances poses serious risks to public safety and the well-being of Nigerians, making their interception a major priority of the Customs Service.

The Acting Area Controller also underscored the importance of collaboration with sister security agencies, describing inter-agency cooperation as essential to tackling smuggling and other illegal activities along the waterways.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling operations, stressing that the waterways would not be allowed to become safe corridors for smugglers and other economic saboteurs. (The Guardian)