The Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General Charles Orbih, has commended the officers and men of the Western Marine Command for their remarkable efforts toward national security and economic protection.
ACG Orbih gave the commendation during a working visit to the Command.
Speaking during the visit, he praised the Command’s pivotal role in advancing the goals of the NCS, particularly in securing Nigeria’s maritime borders against smuggling and other transnational crimes.
He highlighted the Command’s impressive seizures in recent weeks, with contraband items worth over ₦352 million in Duty Paid Value, noting their impact in protecting local industries and safeguarding public health.
“The seizures you made go beyond mere numbers. They tell the story of officers who understand that every intercepted contraband item protects Nigeria’s economy and its people,” Orbih stated.
The Zonal Coordinator recalled the Service’s stellar performance in the first quarter of 2025, revealing that the NCS collected a record-breaking ₦1.75 trillion in revenue, with Zone A contributing nearly 80% of the total.
He attributed this achievement to increased operational efficiency and strategic reforms under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Orbih highlighted key reforms, including the introduction of the Advance Ruling System, the launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program, and the deployment of the indigenous Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), known as the B’Odogwu Platform, which is enhancing cargo clearance and tracking capabilities across commands.
“From PTML to other commands, the B’Odogwu system is transforming how we clear goods and monitor compliance. This is the kind of innovation driving our mandate forward,” he noted.
The ACG also applauded the Command for its infrastructural improvements, including the construction of a befitting quarter guard and the removal of shanties around the Command’s vicinity, explaining that these developments demonstrate the Command’s discipline and commitment to operational excellence.
He stressed the need for sustained vigilance, reminding officers of the evolving security threats facing the nation, and urged continued collaboration with sister agencies like the Navy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Marine Police, and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
“Our nation is facing complex threats, and your work here is not just important—it is critical to our national survival. We must remain several steps ahead of those who want to undermine Nigeria’s economic integrity,” the Zonal Coordinator remarked.
He further emphasised the role of the public in national security and called on citizens to report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illegal trade within the waterways.
The visit was part of the Zonal Coordinator’s broader initiative to strengthen the Service’s core pillars of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation.
On his part, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, expressed gratitude to the ACG for the visit and for his words of encouragement to him and his officers.
Comptroller Ntadi assured Orbih that officers and men of the Command would continue to make the Service proud.
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