The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed plans to implement 100 per cent scanning of all imported cargoes, including pharmaceutical products, at the Onne Port in Rivers State as part of measures to strengthen border security and curb the influx of prohibited goods into the country.
The initiative is designed to improve the detection of high-risk consignments, particularly illicit drugs and other banned items entering Nigeria through the port.
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The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed the development on Tuesday during an interactive session with journalists in Port Harcourt ahead of the 2026 Public Relations Week themed, “Realigning Corporate Communication as a Strategic Driver of Institutional Effectiveness and Public Trust.”
Maiwada explained that every cargo arriving through the port would be scanned before clearance, with the resulting images stored in a database for future verification and intelligence purposes.
According to him, the full cargo scanning system is already operational at Apapa Port in Lagos and will soon be extended to Onne in response to increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods.
He recalled that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, declared a state of emergency at Onne Port in September 2024 after the interception of arms, ammunition and illicit drugs at the facility.
Following the discovery, the Customs Service introduced a three-month emergency protocol aimed at tightening inspections and strengthening monitoring of cargo entering the country through the port.
Maiwada clarified, however, that the emergency measures did not disrupt importation or cargo clearance but were intended to enhance security through increased deployment of personnel and operational resources.
“When we declared a state of emergency at Onne Port, it did not mean import and clearance activities would stop. It simply meant that we were increasing surveillance and deploying additional resources to prevent prohibited items from passing through the port,” he said.
He noted that Onne Port continues to receive heightened attention from the Customs Service due to its strategic importance.
“Whether the emergency protocol has officially ended or not, Onne remains under close watch. We have committed significant operational resources, and several activities are ongoing that I cannot disclose publicly,” he added.
The Deputy Comptroller of Customs also said the service is expanding its use of non-intrusive inspection technology by deploying advanced cargo scanners across ports.
He explained that the scanning system would be integrated with import declarations, allowing Customs officers to compare scanned images with submitted documentation as part of improved compliance and accountability measures.
“We have already commenced 100 per cent scanning at Apapa Port and integrated scanned images with import declarations. These are part of the checks and balances we are putting in place,” Maiwada stated.
He acknowledged that some stakeholders had expressed concerns over the new system but insisted that the reforms were necessary to safeguard the country from harmful and illegal imports.
“Change often comes with resistance, but we remain committed to these reforms. Very soon, Onne Port will also commence 100 per cent scanning, ensuring every cargo is pre-scanned and the images securely stored,” he said.
Maiwada disclosed that the next phase of scanner deployment would cover Onne Port alongside other Customs formations across the country.
He added that the engagement with journalists was organised to deepen collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the media in promoting transparency, public confidence and awareness of the agency’s ongoing reforms.
According to him, the media remains a critical partner in communicating government policies, supporting trade facilitation and advancing national security objectives.
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