By Omenihu Alfred Fibmn
Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka, the CAC of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in conjunction with his men have continued with the record breaking performances in recent time as the command generates Seven Hundred and seventy Four Billion, Seventy Nine Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Nine Naira, Ninety One kobo (N747,079,233,259.91) only as revenue for the first half of 2025.

Comptroller Onyeka who is an award winning ‘revenue man’ has diligently applied the policies of consolidation, collaboration and innovation as enunciated by the Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and this act has greatly helped his Command in achieving the Service mandates.

In a recent press release to journalists in Apapa, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka disclosed that this figure indicated a remarkable surplus of N171,719,786,247.68 when compared to the first half of 2024, which stood at N575,359,447,011.23. This figure according to him represents a growth of approximately 29.85% increase and has achieved a 98.03% of the expected collection for the first half of the year 2025.

In the statement, Comptroller Onyeka noted that in January 2025, the Command generated the sum of N116,412,735,766.23 as against N88,430,128,122.76 in the same period of 2024, while in the month of February, the Command recorded a total of N103,254,292,293,823.23, above that of the previous year which stood at N100,253,187,122.76.

According to him, the months of March to May 2025 witnessed an increase in its revenue with the collections of N128,266,643,816.08, N145,020,168,704.83, N128,446,323,224.79 respectively. He further explained that these figures quoted above also showed an increase when compared to the Command’s expected monthly revenue target of N127, 055,833,289.88 and those of March to May 2024 which stood at N115,108,066,256.20, N95,703,614,360.55, N92,671,603,418.04 independently.

The month of June 2025 generated a total of N125, 679,068,853.75, surpassing the figure recorded in corresponding period of the previous year which stood at N83, 192,847,758.97.
He also informed that in the first half of the year, the Command received 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) under the new Bodogwu clearance system and has successful processed and exited 2,749 entries. He noted that since the innovation and its successful implementation, the Command had organised several online and physical trainings and workshops to provide firsthand knowledge to all stakeholders on the operations of the system.

Furthermore, he further disclose that a total of 282 vessels reported at the Command in the first quarter of the year, with import tonnage comprised of Bulk cargoes such as bulk wheat, bulk malt, lab chemical, drilling rods, bulk sugar, aluminum nitride, general cargoes among others.

With regards to Anti-Smuggling activities, the Area Controller pointed out that the Command recorded significant progress in its drive towards safe-guarding the nation and her citizens from the threat of unwholesome items through the arrest and subsequent handover of illicit drugs, Arms and Ammunition. According to his account, the Command confiscated and successfully handed over illicit drugs worth over N8, 053,125,000.00 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

CAC of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka.
The ground breaking achievement was achieved through the timely interception of 2 x 20ft containers of which were separately found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, 97 packets of crystal methamphetamine, and 1,735 packet of Cannabis Indica with a combine total weight of over 1,000 kilogrammes.
More so, he mentioned that with thorough physical and Non-Intrusive inspection examinations, the Command uncovered Arms and Ammunition and other military equipment concealed in a 1x40ft container which was conveying Four (4) used vehicles. The items recover includes the following:
i. Rugger P345 Pistol Reg. No. 664 – 75425
ii. 23 GEN 4 Austria Pistol Reg. No. TO 6252
iii. 100 Rounds of live Ammunition of 9mm
iv. 34 Rounds of blank Ammunition of 9mm
v. 4 Rounds of Blank Ammunition
vi. 5 empty Magazines
vii. 2 Handcuffs
viii. One small iron touch light.
Comptroller Onyeka opined that to ensure proper handling of the items, the Customs Area Controller handed them alongside the consignee and the declarant over to the Department of State Services (DSS), Tincan Island Port Command.

Continuing, the the CAC observed that, these handover exercises underscore the commitment of the Command to uphold and promote National Security by safeguarding National Borders against the influx of hard drugs and proliferation of small arms and light weapons as well as promoting inter-agencies collaboration with all security agencies operating in the port.

On stakeholder’s engagements, the CAC opined that the Command has also demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration through sustained engagement with a diverse range of key partners in the maritime and trade ecosystem.

These included terminal operators, captains of industries, Government agencies operating at the port and beyond, Customs licensed agents, international organisations, civil society groups, and private sector representatives among others. He further explained that these engagements were designed to ensure that policies, operational changes, and reforms were communicated and feedbacks received. He further noted that the interactive sessions with the captains of industries were geared towards attracting and enhancing trade benefits to the Command and so far, it has yielded positive results. He continued by stating that he had used the entire medium to urge stakeholders to always ensure proper declarations of their consignments in order to enhance trade facilitation.

Moving forward, he said that as part of its efforts to promote transparency and keep the public informed about developments and activities at the port, the Command had actively engaged the press by organising regular briefings and open fora.

Comptroller Onyeka used the medium to congratulate and appreciate his boss and leader the Comptroller general of Customs and Chairman WCO Council, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi on his recent appointment as the Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council and his unwavering support to the Command, describing his election victory as divine. He equally thanked all Customs partners operating within the port, and promised to always promote conducive business environment.

He urged officers and men of the Command to continue to show acts of bravery and competence. Stating that the success of the Command is dependent on their collective and professional contributions.

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