EKOK TAKES OVER TINCAN CUSTOMS, VOWS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR REVENUE LEAKAGES, FALSE DECLARATIONS

EKOK TAKES OVER TIN CAN CUSTOMS, VOWS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR REVENUE LEAKAGES, FALSE DECLARATIONS

Anani Hands Over After Generating ₦787.2bn, Seizing 603 Shotguns, 14,862kg of Cannabis

By Babatunde Aremu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, has witnessed a change of leadership following the formal handover of its administration by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Joseph Anani to Deputy Comptroller Emmanuel Agbor Ekok, who has assumed duty as the Acting Customs Area Controller.

The leadership transition, which took place on Friday, marks the end of Anani’s tenure at the strategic port command following his elevation to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Anani described his tenure as a significant period of service and institutional contribution, particularly in revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations and national economic development.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him, noting that his elevation reflected the opportunities for professional growth within the Nigeria Customs Service.

Reviewing his achievements, the outgoing controller disclosed that the Tin Can Island Port Command generated a total revenue of ₦787,234,144,911.15 between May and October 2026, attributing the performance to improved compliance, effective monitoring, operational efficiency and stronger stakeholder engagement.

On enforcement, Anani revealed that the Command intercepted approximately 603 shotguns and 14,862.75 kilogrammes of Cannabis Indica, alongside other prohibited and illicit items.

He said the seizures demonstrated the Command’s determination to combat smuggling, protect public health, strengthen national security and prevent prohibited goods from entering the country.
Anani also highlighted officers’ welfare as an important component of his administration, stressing that personnel motivation, unity and a supportive working environment were essential to institutional productivity and effective service delivery.

He commended officers and men of the Command, stakeholders, sister government agencies, port and terminal operators, shipping companies and licensed customs agents for their cooperation throughout his tenure.
Congratulating his successor, Anani expressed confidence in Ekok’s ability to sustain the Command’s achievements, urging him to strengthen operational efficiency, discipline, professionalism, stakeholder engagement and the drive for improved revenue collection.

In his acceptance speech, the new Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Emmanuel Agbor Ekok, expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for finding him worthy of the appointment.

He described his assumption of duty as a call to greater responsibility and pledged to align his administration with the Comptroller-General’s strategic policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.

Ekok identified revenue optimisation, trade facilitation, robust enforcement and strict discipline as the major pillars of his administration.
He assured stakeholders of an open-door policy, transparent engagement and an enabling operational environment that would promote seamless cargo clearance for compliant traders and reduce cargo dwell time.
However, he warned that his administration would maintain zero tolerance for false declarations, duty evasion, smuggling and other practices capable of undermining government revenue or compromising national security.

On revenue generation, the new controller said the Command would intensify measures to block revenue leakages through rigorous cargo examination, accurate classification and proper valuation of imported goods.
He further pledged to deepen collaboration with sister government agencies and port regulatory authorities through timely intelligence sharing and coordinated security operations.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, Ekok declared that discipline, integrity, punctuality and professional excellence would remain non-negotiable under his leadership.
He warned that indiscipline, insubordination, neglect of duty, abuse of office and corruption would attract appropriate disciplinary measures.
The Acting CAC, however, assured personnel that officers’ welfare and capacity development would receive priority attention, while exceptional performance and integrity would be recognised and rewarded.

He called on officers, stakeholders and other port users to work collectively with renewed commitment to surpass revenue targets, facilitate legitimate trade, protect the national economy and uphold the integrity and reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service.