The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has boosted its maritime enforcement capabilities with the deployment of seven new operational patrol vessels to the Western Marine Command, in a renewed push to combat smuggling and secure Nigeria’s waterways.
The vessels ,comprising two gunboats and five logistics boats, were officially handed over to the Command on Monday, 13 April 2026. The addition significantly expands the Command’s fleet, enhancing patrol coverage, rapid response, and overall operational effectiveness along critical maritime corridors.
Comptroller of the Western Marine Command, Patrick Ntadi, who received the vessels, described the deployment as a clear demonstration of the Service’s commitment to protecting national revenue and curbing economic sabotage.
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“These assets are a clear demonstration of our resolve to secure Nigeria’s waterways against economic sabotage and transnational crimes,” Ntadi said during the handover ceremony.
“We are not only expanding our operational capacity but also ensuring that our officers are better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively.”
He noted that the expanded fleet addresses previous logistical constraints and will strengthen deterrence against smugglers operating along key waterways.
“The fight against smuggling is dynamic, and we must remain proactive. This deployment, alongside continuous training and inter-agency collaboration, will significantly improve our enforcement outcomes and protect national revenue,” Ntadi added
To ensure optimal use of the new vessels, officers of the Western Marine Command recently completed an intensive training programme facilitated by SEWA Africa Ltd, the contractor responsible for the boats. The training covered vessel handling techniques, safety procedures, and operational efficiency.
Steven Okitiape, a representative of SEWA Africa Ltd, explained that the programme served as both a refresher and a capacity-building exercise.
“This training serves as both a refresher and a capacity-building initiative, ensuring that officers can maximise the performance of these vessels while maintaining the highest safety standards,” he said.
The deployment forms part of the broader strategy led by Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to modernise the Service’s marine operations and intensify the fight against illicit trade in Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.
