RismadarVoice Reporters, May 3, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has appointed Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Joseph Ikewun as Acting Comptroller of the North-Eastern Marine Command, in a move aimed at strengthening enforcement across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Ikewun formally assumed duty at the Command’s headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State, on April 30, 2026, marking the beginning of a leadership transition focused on operational efficiency and improved service delivery.
The appointment reflects the Service’s renewed commitment to tightening maritime security, curbing smuggling activities, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration within the Command’s operational jurisdiction.
Speaking during the handover, Ikewun pledged to consolidate existing gains while deepening cooperation with key stakeholders and partner security agencies.
“I am committed to building on the solid foundation laid before me. My priority is to strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sister agencies to effectively secure our maritime corridors and suppress all forms of criminal activities,” he said.
“We will operate an open-door policy that encourages communication, teamwork, and mutual respect among officers, and together we will ensure that this Command remains a formidable force in protecting Nigeria’s waterways.”
He identified improved inter-agency synergy and stronger internal coordination as critical to addressing smuggling along inland waterways, emphasising intelligence-driven operations as a cornerstone of the Command’s strategy.
Ikewun also commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, noting that ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrades within the NCS underscore a sustained push toward professionalism and efficiency.
The North-Eastern Marine Command remains a strategic arm of the NCS, playing a vital role in securing Nigeria’s waterways while facilitating legitimate trade through targeted enforcement measures.
