The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, Rivers State, has intercepted 56 containers of prohibited and improperly imported goods with a total value of N5.53 billion, as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, commissioned a rebuilt Primary Health Care Centre in Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area.
The seizures were disclosed on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Area 11 Customs Command, Onne Seaport, as part of the Service’s intelligence-driven and risk-based operations aimed at protecting local industries, farmers and legitimate businesses from prohibited imports and false declarations.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General said the intervention was designed to prevent prohibited, restricted and improperly declared consignments from entering the Nigerian market and undermining domestic production and job creation.
According to Adeniyi, unchecked importation of goods that could be produced or processed locally exposes Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other domestic producers to unfair competition, weakens demand for locally made products and discourages investment across domestic value chains.
He noted that the impact was particularly significant in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, stressing that large-scale importation of products that Nigeria has the capacity to produce or process could undermine efforts to strengthen food security, create jobs, promote local industries and diversify the economy.
The 56 intercepted containers comprised 45 20-foot containers of foreign vegetable oil, nine 40-foot containers of used clothing and two 20-foot containers of Channy tomato paste.
Adeniyi urged importers and traders to comply with customs regulations and ensure accurate declarations covering the description, quantity, value, origin and classification of their consignments.
He also commended the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, and officers of the Port Harcourt II Area Command for the successful interceptions.
NCS Rebuilds Primary Health Centre in Ebubu
In a related development, the Nigeria Customs Service commissioned a rebuilt and fully equipped Primary Health Care Centre at Ebubu in Eleme LGA as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The health facility, which had previously become dilapidated and abandoned, was rebuilt and equipped with modern medical facilities, medicines, an ambulance and lighting infrastructure to improve access to healthcare for residents, particularly vulnerable members of the community.
Commissioning the facility, Adeniyi said the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service extends beyond revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, national security and trade facilitation.
He explained that the Service’s Customs Cares initiative encompasses interventions in education, scholarships, school construction, healthcare, empowerment, skills acquisition and the provision of palliatives.
The Comptroller-General said such interventions were designed to give back to communities where the Service operates and create meaningful and lasting impact.
He urged residents of Ebubu to protect, maintain and sustain the facility for the benefit of present and future generations.
Adeniyi also commended Comptroller A.M. Alkali and officers of the Area 11 Customs Command, Onne, for supporting the healthcare project.
Adeniyi Receives Ebubu Chieftaincy Title
The event also featured the presentation of a traditional chieftaincy title to the Comptroller-General.
Adeniyi was conferred with the title of “Emere Oweze Ita 1 of Ebubu” in recognition of his contributions to community development and efforts to protect citizens from harmful products allegedly brought into the country through smuggling.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of government agencies, freight forwarders, terminal operators, traditional rulers, officials of the Rivers State Health Management Board, and other dignitaries.
The Vice Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area represented the council chairman, Hon. Obarilomate Ollor, at the occasion.