NCS Seeks Effective Collaboration With Media Practitioners …Urges Zone “C” CACs To Train Maritime Journalists

By: B. Elums

In a bid to build stronger synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and media practitioners operating in the South East and South South regions of the country; the NCS has called for the timely training of all maritime journalists operating in the regions.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, DC Abdullahi Maiwada made the call at a Media Parley with the theme: “Realigning Corporate Communication As A Strategic Driver Of Institutional Effectiveness And Public Trust,” which was held in PortHarcourt, the Rivers State capital on the 21st of July, 2026.

In his presentation, DC Maiwada emphasised that effective collaboration, transparency and trust are essential in what Nigeria Customs Service represents, as well as its impact on revenue generation and regional integration.

The Customs National PRO, who described the media as a bridge between the Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerians in the areas of: prompt and accurate information dissemination, urged them to continue to do their best in their reportage, as NCS carry out its cross border engagement and revenue generation, among others.

In his words: “The media serves as the bridge through which government policies, Customs procedures, trade regulations and enforcement activities are communicated to stakeholders and the general public. This can only be achieved through balanced reportage,” Maiwada said.

He said the Nigeria Customs Service, has tightened measures to curb smuggling of banned items, such as small arms and hard drugs, through land and sea borders.

Maiwada maintained that part of these measures — which include: deployment of modern technology and intelligence gathering — underscore the Comptroller‑General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s efforts to achieve the Service’s operational mandate.

He stressed that the success of these reforms requires accurate, timely and responsible dissemination of information by the media.

Maiwada was of the view that trust remains the foundation on which the Customs Service operates, adding that the media plays a strategic role in shaping public perception and communicating government policies to citizens.

The Customs NPRO, further urged journalists to sustain constructive engagement with the Customs Service to promote public awareness, support economic growth, enhance border security and advance the Federal Government’s broader development goals.

While anchoring the interactive session, DC Maiwada responded to some of the issues that were raised by journalists which include, but not limited to: freight or value differentials raised by the publisher of Nigerian MomentumNews Online & Magazine, Comr. Blaise Tochukwu Elumezie; number of arrests and prosecution carried out by NCS during seizures; NCS auctioning process; types of contraband goods that are commonly seized in the Niger Delta land and waterways; training and retraining of maritime journalists; the state of emergency that was declared at Onne Seaport, by the then CAC of Onne Area II Customs Command, Mr. Mohammed Babandende; and Customs annual revenue target, among others.

Responding further, Maiwada says that there will always be value differentials on products and cars, for example, as long as they have different models or types, adding that NCS doesn’t set revenue targets for itself, but only implements the policies of the federal government.

The NPRO in the meantime, called on the Zone “C” Customs Area Controllers (CACs) to work out the modalities for the timely training and retraining of maritime journalists to be abreast with the technicalities and terminologies that are associated with the operation and activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

However, Acting Controller of the NCS Eastern Marine Command, Deputy Comptroller Esien Etim Esiet, whose Command patrols the nation’s Eastern Waterways, listed illegally refined petroleum products, endangered species and hard drugs among the most‑smuggled items in the region.

Esiet noted that waterways remain a favoured route for smugglers, especially in areas with weak or nonexistent security coverage.

In his words: “I just came back from Oron, where I went to auction seized petroleum products and the money realized was paid through an Accountant to the federal government.

“So, almost everything goes through the water. The smuggler wants a way out. The only ways are either by land or by water. If he sees that the water is quicker for him and it’s a little bit security free, he goes through the water,” the Acting Controller disclosed.

While, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun, the Zine ‘C” Owerri Controller, ably represented by his Special Assistant (SA); Assistant Comptroller (AC) MA Haruna, also explained that codine, tramadol, cars, endengered species, and used tyres/clothes, and others, are among the items that are usually seized within the Niger Delta region.

Earlier his address, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2026 Public Relations (PR) Week Conference in PortHarcourt, CSP Emmanuel Tangwa, PRO Ibeto Customs Area 5 Command, lauded the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR for his approval and support for the 2026 PR Conference.

The LOC Chairman, described the 2026 PR Conference as historic, stating that it was the first of its kind in the history of South East and South South regions.

CSP Tangwa equally lauded the Customs NPRO, DC Abdullahi Maiwada for his leadership prowess in pioneering the activities of the Custom PR Unit, and giving all the Commands’ PR officers a sense of belonging.

According to CSP Tangwa, the media engagement provides an opportunity to share the NCS’s achievements, clarify policies, address misconceptions, respond to legitimate concerns and reinforce its commitment to accountability.

Tangwa maintained that the gathering of Customs Public Relations Officers and journalists reflects the service’s unwavering commitment to transparency, professionalism, stakeholder engagement and national development.

According to him: “Today, we are gathered not merely as practitioners of communication or partners in information dissemination, but as critical stakeholders in shaping the narrative of Nigeria’s economic security, trade facilitation, revenue generation and national development.

“This relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the media remains indispensable in building public trust and promoting informed national discourse,” Tangwa stated.

The Ibeto Command PRO opined that the significance of the media parley “lies in its ability to strengthen bridges between the Nigeria Customs Service and the public through open, honest and constructive dialogue. In an era where information travels at unprecedented speed, transparency is no longer optional; it is imperative.

“We can ensure the Nigerian people receive accurate, balanced and timely information about the activities of this Service. This gathering is particularly historic because it is the first strategic media parley hosted by a National Public Relations Officer for the South East and South‑South geopolitical zones of the country. Hosting this landmark event in Port Harcourt is both symbolic and strategic.

“As one of Nigeria’s foremost maritime and commercial hubs, the South‑South occupies a pivotal position in international trade, maritime security and national economic prosperity.

“Bringing this important national conversation to the sea demonstrates the Nigeria Customs Service’s recognition of the immense contribution of this region to the nation’s economic growth,” CSP Tangwa stated.

In his goodwill message, Acting Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of Customs and the Zonal Coordinator, Zone “C” Headquarters, PortHarcourt, Mr. Paschal Chibuoke, applaud the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR for the 2026 PR Conference approval, and the NPRO, for his foresight in organising the conference.

In the same vein, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, CAC PortHarcourt Area 1 Customs Command, commended CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR for his exemplary leadership and equality thanked the NPRO for maintaining a cordial relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the media.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, Paul Bazia, said the event highlighted the relationship between the media and the Customs and their shared objective of promoting transparency and national development.

He said the Rivers NUJ had shifted its focus from crisis reporting to development journalism, adding that strategic communication must be anchored on truth, openness and mutual understanding.

According to Bazia: “Our responsibility is to communicate the truth and be transparent, so that we can build and sustain trust,” he noted.

The Rivers State Council Chairman of NUJ, assured the Customs of the media practitioners’ commitment to ensuring timely, accurate and responsible information dissemination.