The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has condemned a violent mob attack on its operatives during an anti-smuggling operation in Adamawa.

It also announced the interception of petroleum products worth N95.7 million.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, made this known at a press briefing on Thursday at the Customs Area Command in Yola.

Adeniyi, who was represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Hussain Ejibunu, said the incident occurred on July 16 during an intelligence-led operation targeting smugglers within Zone D.

“While on official duty in Adamawa, our officers were ambushed by violent mobs and smugglers who barricaded access roads using sticks, stones, and other harmful objects.

“What began as resistance to lawful enforcement escalated into a brutal and premeditated attack.

“Officers were physically assaulted, and one of our operational vehicles was doused with petrol in an attempt to set it, and our officers ablaze,” he said.

He said in spite efforts to de-escalate the situation, several officers sustained serious injuries while an official vehicle was vandalised.

Quoting Section 240 (3)(a) of the NCS Act 2023, Adeniyi warned that anyone who obstructs or assaults customs officers in the line of duty is liable to a fine of N5 million, a five-year prison term, or both.

“This violent aggression is a direct affront to the authority of the NCS and a threat to national security,” he said.

He appealed to residents of border communities to respect law enforcement personnel and refrain from obstructing official duties.

“These officers are not just uniforms. They are parents, spouses, and members of the community, working under challenging conditions to maintain peace and order,” he said.

Adeniyi said the NCS had launched a joint investigation with other security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack.

He also called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and the public to support law enforcement efforts by reporting individuals involved in violent acts or smuggling.

Meanwhile, the NCS said operatives of Operation Whirlwind intercepted petroleum products being smuggled through the Adamawa border in the past six weeks.

“A total of 2,276 jerricans of 25 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 19 jerricans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), amounting to 69,375 litres, were seized,” Adeniyi said.

He added that two vehicles used in conveying the products were also impounded.

The seizures were made across various smuggling flashpoints, including Malabu, Belel axis, Girei Wuro Bokki, Gurin Fufore axis, Jamtari, Maiha, Jimeta Waterside, and the Mubi Sahuda axis.

He said the duty-paid value of the seized petroleum products and vehicles was N95,695,000.

“These products were carefully concealed and intended for illegal export to neighbouring countries. Their diversion causes significant revenue loss and worsens local fuel scarcity,” he said.

In the quiet embrace of night on May 9, 2025, the world lost a luminary. Chief (Hon.) Dr. Chris Chigoziri Asoluka—statesman, scholar, and architect of progress—departed this earthly realm, leaving behind a legacy etched in service and excellence.

A scholar of rare brilliance, he ascended the heights of academia, earning accolades from the University of Ibadan to the halls of London’s finest institutions. His mind, sharp as a blade, carved pathways in law, economics, and public policy, shaping Nigeria’s intellectual and governance landscape.

In public service, he stood as a colossus—legislator, finance commissioner, and economic strategist—guiding the nation through turbulent tides with wisdom and foresight. His leadership in maritime and trade policy transformed industries, fostering growth where stagnation once loomed.

Okwuruoha was a mentor, a patriarch, a man who measured success not in wealth but in lives uplifted. His daughter, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, carries forward his torch, a testament to the enduring power of his influence.

Today, we mourn, but we also celebrate—a life well-lived, a nation forever changed.

Rest, Okwuruoha. Your work endures.

Chief Dr. Ejike Chukwu
CEO
MegaDrill Group Limited

…Accredits and pronounces extension of tenures of faithful LGA and Ward Party Executives

…Commissions Ngor Okpala New Legislative Building and Treasury House

By Okuru Christopher

On the 30th of July 2025, the Imo State Executive Council (SEC) of the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the State Party Chairman, Hon. Sir Macdonald Ebere PhD, paid a special visit to Ngor Okpala LGA. The purpose of the visit was to assess the strength and organizational structure of the Party within the LGA. Sir Macdonald Ebere was warmly received by the Executive Chairman of Ngor Okpala LGA, Chief Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, the Apex Leader of the Party in the LGA, Okenze S.I. Obinna, the LGA Party Chairman, Engr. Jude Ukaegbu, and other prominent Party stakeholders.

In his address to the leaders and stakeholders of Ngor Okpala APC, Hon. Macdonald Ebere PhD expressed delight at the large turnout of committed Party members and lauded the warm reception accorded him by the Executive Chairman and the leadership of the Party in the LGA. He stated that he was in Ngor Okpala on the directive of the leader of the Party in Imo State and Governor of the State, His Excellency, Dist. Sen. (Dr.) Hope Uzodimma, to evaluate the Party’s strength at the grassroots and conduct an accreditation of LGA and Ward executives.

He further informed the gathering that following the just-concluded APC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the Party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, had approved the extension of tenures for State, Local Government, and Ward officers of the Party across the country. Hon. Ebere then proceeded to conduct an accreditation of the Ngor Okpala LGA and Ward executives, and officially pronounced the extension of tenures for all faithful Party officials in the LGA.

In her remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ngor Okpala, Hon. Chief Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, welcomed the State Party Chairman and commended the leaders and stakeholders of the LGA for turning out in large numbers, describing it as a show of solidarity with her administration and the Party. She decried the actions of some detractors who engage in spreading false and defamatory publications against the Party, urging them to desist from such divisive activities.

Mrs. Ibekwe used the occasion to highlight some of her achievements within her first eight months in office. According to her, “We have graded several roads in the LGA to improve accessibility, completed and equipped the Council’s Treasury House, made significant improvements to the Umukabia road, constructed and furnished the Ngor Okpala Legislative House—set for commissioning today—and installed modern security gadgets and a solar power system in the Council Secretariat.” She appealed for patience from the people of Ngor Okpala and assured them of more developmental projects ahead. She also urged stakeholders to ensure that Ngor Okpala leads in the second round of the Health Insurance Enrollment exercise as mandated by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Hon. Obinna Egu, member representing Ngor Okpala in the Imo State House of Assembly, congratulated the State Party Chairman on his tenure extension. He emphasized the need for unity within the Party and encouraged members to avoid internal strife. He highlighted his achievements, including several motions and bills passed, and the installation of solar streetlights, asserting that the people of Ngor Okpala can attest to his quality representation.

In his address, the Apex Leader of Ngor Okpala APC, Okenze S.I. Obinna, reaffirmed the LGA’s commitment to the APC and assured the visiting delegation that the Party remains strong in Ngor Okpala. “For every two members we lose, four new members join us,” he declared confidently, emphasizing the Party’s growth and resilience in the area.

The State Organizing Secretary of Imo APC, Hon. Iyke Umeh explicitly communicated the decision of the Party, that henceforth, any matter arising amongst members of the Party should be brought to the leaders for amicable resolution, any erring member of the Party in this regard shall be either suspended or expelled from the Party

The meeting featured remarks from several other Ngor Okpala APC stakeholders, all expressing a renewed determination to strengthen the Party and support the government..

Notable dignitaries in attendance included:

Chief Mrs. Chika Ibekwe

Hon. Sir Macdonald Ebere PhD

Hon. Iyke Ume and other state APC officials

Okenze S.I. Obinna

Rt. Hon. Obinna Egu PhD

HRH Eze Engr. Fred Nwachukwu

HRH Eze (Dr.) Emeh Njoku

Barr. Sir George Ekeh

Dr. Ethelbert Okere

Chief Val Okere

Hon. Sam Anukam

Hon. Kizito Onuoha

Dr. Perry Njoku

Hon. Theo Ihediuba

Engr. Blessing Ibekwe and other PGs

Engr. Jude Ukaegbu and all LGA Party EXCOs

Hon. Chimezie Nwaeke

Hon. Victor Nwosu

Engr. Donald Agbugba and all elected councilors

All Ward Chairmen

Mrs. Georginia Onyeulor and all Ward Women Leaders

Mrs. Beatrice Nkwo

Hon. Chidimma Okereafor

Lady Tina Okere

Mrs. Chinyere Elikee

The meeting ended on a high note with optimism and collective resolve to move the APC forward in Ngor Okpala.

Immediately after the meeting, Sir Macdonald Ebere PhD was led to the project sites where he commissioned two gigantic projects (modern legislative building and Treasury house) built and completed respectively at the Council Secretariat by the Executive Chairman, Chief Mrs. Chika Ibekwe.