Key points
- Maritime expert Eugene Nweke says silence is the biggest weapon used by smugglers to sustain illegal operations.
- He urges journalists to move beyond official events and investigate smuggling networks, illicit trade and corruption.
- Nweke warns that smuggling fuels insecurity, destroys local industries and exposes Nigerians to counterfeit products.
- He calls on the media to embrace AI, data journalism and cargo tracking technologies to combat organised crime.
- The appeal was made at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Lecture of the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) in Lagos.
Main story
A maritime researcher and freight forwarding expert, Eugene Nweke, has urged journalists to play a more active role in combating smuggling, warning that silence remains the greatest weapon used by criminal networks.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Lecture of the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) in Lagos, Nweke said smuggling thrives when citizens, institutions and the media fail to expose suspicious activities before they escalate into national security threats.
He illustrated his point with the story of a retired Customs officer who described silence—not speedboats, forged documents or sophisticated concealment methods—as the most powerful tool available to smugglers.
According to Nweke, every successful smuggling operation begins as an information failure before becoming a security failure.
He said the consequences of illicit trade extend beyond revenue losses, noting that counterfeit medicines, illegal firearms, substandard products and smuggled goods continue to endanger lives, weaken local industries and fuel violent crimes across the country.
Nweke challenged maritime journalists to shift from routine coverage of official activities to investigative reporting that uncovers the financiers, collaborators and networks behind organised smuggling.
He urged the media to scrutinise maritime spending, investigate controversial port charges and expose criminal syndicates rather than focusing solely on seizures announced by enforcement agencies.
The maritime expert also advocated sustained public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on the dangers of smuggling, warning that ignorance often makes vulnerable communities susceptible to recruitment by criminal organisations.
He further encouraged journalists to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite intelligence, cargo tracking systems and data journalism to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated smuggling networks.
Nweke warned that the approach of another election season could increase attempts to smuggle arms, illicit drugs and illegal financial flows into the country, urging the media to remain objective and prioritise national security.
Earlier, the President of CONMMEP, Udo Onyeka, said the association’s annual meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on its achievements since its establishment in 2021 while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism and responsible journalism.
He described the conference theme, Maritime Security, Trade Facilitation and the Media, as timely, noting that the media’s watchdog role remains critical to protecting Nigeria’s maritime economy.
The issues
Smuggling continues to undermine Nigeria’s economy by reducing government revenue, threatening local industries and worsening insecurity through the illegal movement of arms, counterfeit goods and prohibited products.
Experts argue that stronger investigative journalism, public awareness and better use of technology are essential to exposing criminal networks and strengthening national security.
What’s being said
“The greatest weapon of a smuggler is silence.” — Eugene Nweke
“Every successful smuggling operation is first an information failure before it becomes a security failure.” — Eugene Nweke
“The battle against smuggling cannot be won by Customs alone… The media has a responsibility to shape public perception, promote accountability and strengthen national security.” — Eugene Nweke
What’s next
Stakeholders are expected to intensify collaboration between the media, security agencies and maritime operators to strengthen intelligence sharing, improve public awareness and expose organised smuggling networks before they inflict greater economic and security damage.
Bottom line
Nweke says breaking the culture of silence through investigative journalism and public accountability could become one of Nigeria’s strongest weapons against smuggling, helping to protect lives, safeguard businesses and strengthen national security.
