Western Marine command Boosts officers welfare, records smuggling successes despite logistics constraints
Western Marine Command Boosts Officers’ Welfare, Records Smuggling Successes Despite Logistics Constraints
By Babatunde Aremu
The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is intensifying its enforcement efforts on Nigeria’s waterways through a renewed focus on officers’ welfare and operational readiness, even as it battles persistent logistical challenges.
In a bid to improve living and working conditions for its personnel, the command has commenced the construction of modern hostels designed to enhance officers’ rapid response to smuggling threats across coastal and creek regions.
The move, spearheaded under the leadership of Comptroller Patrick Odaudu Ntadi, is part of a broader strategy to boost morale and improve operational efficiency within the command.
Speaking during an interview with the NAGAFF Cargo Watch crew, Comptroller Ntadi emphasized the unique role of the command, which unlike other revenue-focused units, operates as a marine-based enforcement outfit. “Our officers spend long hours at sea, navigating tough terrain with limited resources,” he said. “It is only right they are given dignified accommodation and proper training to match the demands of their assignments.”
He noted that while the command has recorded notable seizures of smuggled goods in recent months, it continues to grapple with severe operational constraints, including insufficient boats and surging fuel costs.
“A single patrol to Badagry on a large gunboat can cost more than ₦200,000 in fuel,” Ntadi disclosed.
“We’re advocating for faster, flat-bottom boats which are more fuel-efficient and suitable for creek operations,” Ntadi opined.
He added that despite these hurdles, the command has maintained steady success in its anti-smuggling drive, thanks to the resilience of its personnel and improved tactical deployment.
Comptroller Ntadi pointed out that the proximity of officers to deployment points — enabled by the ongoing hostel construction — is essential for timely interception based on actionable intelligence.
“Unlike conventional units that follow rosters, our officers must be ready to move at a moment’s notice,” he stated.
The Controller also lauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for prioritizing officers’ welfare as a cornerstone of institutional reform. “Replacing makeshift accommodations with decent housing is not just infrastructure development; it’s a reflection of leadership that acts, not just talks,” Ntadi remarked.
The Western Marine Command’s proactive approach, despite fiscal and logistical limitations, underscores the evolving posture of the NCS in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime borders and clamping down on illicit trade.
