The Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a change of baton at its Command, as Deputy Comptroller Esien Etim Esiet officially assumed leadership as the Acting Comptroller replacing Comptroller AB Jaja even as he has also involved in strategic stakeholder engagements.
This disclosure was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available to our media platform by the Command's Public Relations officer, Joshua Iliya a Deputy Superintendent of Customs on Wednesday, May 20,2026 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state Capital.
The statement stated that "in a proactive move to strengthen maritime security and trade facilitation, Ag. Comptroller Esiet has immediately initiated an extensive tour of operational facilities and high-level engagements across the region."
The first phase of the familiarization tour involved key locations in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, including Abonnema and Onne Outstations (Port Harcourt) , Oron Outstation (Akwa Ibom) and Calabar Outstation (Cross River).
During the visitations, Deputy Comptroller Esiet conducted rigorous inspections of equipment and personnel readiness, emphasizing that the success of the Command relied on a united front, adding that a "Sustained synergy is our greatest weapon in combating smuggling and maritime crimes", insisting that a united front was non-negotiable for national security.
On the Inter-agency an internal collaboration, and to foster a one service approach, the Ag. Comptroller held strategic meetings with the Customs Area Controllers of Port Harcourt II (Onne), the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, and the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command.
To further reinforce maritime safety, DC Esiet equally paid courtesy visits to top maritime security brass, including the Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, the Commanding Officer, Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Ibaka, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, and the Cross River State Commissioner of Police.
On Community and Private Sector Partnership and in recognition of the vital role of grassroots support, DC Esiet paid his respects to traditional leadership by visiting His Royal Highness, Nyemoni Iwo Ama of the Abonnema Wharf Community, and His Royal Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu (V), the Obong of Calabar.
The visits, according to the statement,underscored the Command's commitment to maintaining deep-rooted ties with host communities among others.
However, for maintenance of patrol boats and specialized officer training, the Acting Comptroller also met with the management of SeWa West Africa Ltd to discuss patrol boat maintenance and specialized officer training, ensuring the Command's fleet remained a formidable deterrent to illicit activities.
On fiscal policy Compliance, DC Esiet reiterated his administration's resolve to strictly align with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, emphasizing that his leadership would focus on streamlining maritime enforcement protocols, ensuring officers were motivated and equipped while maintaining an open-door policy with licensed agents and partners.
The Eastern Marine Command which is a specialized wing of the Nigeria Customs Service is dedicated to patrolling the nation's Eastern Waterways, preventing smuggling, and ensuring the security of maritime trade.
Written By: Bon Peters
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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