The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded a three-day specialised training for officers and men of its Eastern Marine Command on the operation and maintenance of newly acquired patrol boats, in a move aimed at strengthening maritime enforcement capacity and safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways.
The training, held from 18–20 February 2026 at SeWa West Africa Ltd in Port Harcourt, brought together technical experts, instructors, and operational personnel for intensive theoretical and practical sessions designed to enhance technical competence and asset management.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, the Comptroller of the Eastern Marine Command, Anderson Jaja, described the newly acquired patrol boats as a major milestone in the Service’s modernisation drive and maritime security strategy.
He stated that the capacity-building programme is part of a broader institutional reform agenda aimed at positioning Customs as a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and enforcement-strong organisation capable of effectively protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters.
“Our officers must be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain these assets efficiently so they remain a force to be reckoned with in the region,” he said.
Jaja noted that the initiative aligns with the Service’s strategic direction under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stressing that enhanced maritime capability is essential to tackling smuggling, economic sabotage, and transnational crimes along the nation’s waterways.
At the closing ceremony, the Command Comptroller said the training had strengthened the operational backbone of the Eastern Marine Command, emphasising that modern equipment must be matched with skilled personnel to achieve optimal results.
“These patrol boats represent renewed commitment, enhanced capability, and strategic advancement in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain. Their effectiveness will depend on your discipline in adhering strictly to operational guidelines and maintenance protocols,” he told participants.
He also highlighted the importance of maintenance culture, stressing that preventive servicing, routine inspections, proper documentation, and compliance with safety procedures are critical to sustaining operational readiness.
The Customs chief commended the instructors and technical partners for their expertise and dedication in transferring practical knowledge to officers, noting that continuous training remains central to the Service’s strategy because institutional strength depends on the competence of its personnel.
He reaffirmed that with the newly acquired patrol boats and improved technical capacity, the Command is better positioned to combat smuggling, protect legitimate trade, safeguard national revenue, and support other security agencies in maintaining law and order within Nigeria’s maritime corridors.
