Customs to begin 100% cargo scanning at Onne Port, eases emergency protocol

By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to commence 100 per cent scanning of imported cargoes, including pharmaceutical products, at the Onne Port in Rivers State as part of efforts to tighten surveillance and prevent the entry of illicit goods into the country.

The service said the measure was aimed at tracking dangerous consignments, especially those involving illegal importation of drugs and other prohibited items through the port.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday ahead of the 2026 Public Relations Week with the theme: “Realigning Corporate Communication as a Strategic Driver of Institutional Effectiveness and Public Trust.”

Maiwada explained that all cargoes arriving through the port would undergo pre-scanning, with images stored for future reference and further analysis when necessary.

He said the 100 per cent scanning initiative had already commenced at the Apapa Port in Lagos and would soon be extended to Onne due to evolving tactics employed by smugglers.

The Customs spokesperson recalled that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, declared a state of emergency at the Onne Port in September 2024 following the interception of arms, ammunition and illicit drugs at the facility.

Adeniyi had announced the introduction of a three-month emergency protocol to enhance scrutiny of cargoes entering the country through the port.

Maiwada, however, clarified that the emergency declaration did not halt port operations or importation activities, but was aimed at deploying additional resources and increasing monitoring of activities at the facility.

“When we say state of emergency at the Onne Port, it does not mean that the business of clearance will not take place. We are putting more eyes, deploying more resources to make sure that illicit items do not find their way into the port,” he said.

He added that Onne Port remained a place of special interest to the service, with increased surveillance and operational attention.

“Whether it has been cancelled or not, eyes are still on Onne Port. Our resources are inclined towards airports, and there are so many operations going on that I may not be able to reveal here,” he said.

Maiwada, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, said the service was also strengthening its non-intrusive inspection technology through the deployment of scanners.

“It does not mean that we have stopped importation. Another aspect that we are working on is our non-intrusive inspection technology, which is scanning,” he said.

He explained that scanned images would be integrated with import declarations as part of measures to improve checks and accountability.

“We have started 100 per cent scanning in Apapa, and we have started integration of scanning images with your declaration. Those are checks and balances we are putting in place,” he added.

He noted that the introduction of new technology had faced resistance from some quarters but assured that the service remained committed to implementing reforms aimed at protecting Nigerians from harmful imports.

“People will resist change. So very soon we are coming to Onne that 100 per cent scanning will also take place, and we’ll make sure that all items that come in are pre-scanned and the images will be stored,” he said.

According to him, the next batch of scanners being deployed by the service would include Onne Port among other facilities nationwide.

Maiwada said the media engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Customs Service and journalists to enhance public trust, transparency and awareness of ongoing reforms.

He stressed that the media remained a strategic partner in communicating government policies, promoting trade facilitation and supporting national security efforts.

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