Maritime

Reps Summon Customs Boss Over Remittances

Published

13 years ago

April 12, 2013

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Inde Dikko, has been summoned by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts over remittances to the federation account between 2007and 2010.

The committee is currently investigating remittances by revenue generating agencies.

The House members were working on queries bordering on 2007 to 2010 remittances to the federation account.

The House Committee branded the customs service as a lawless service agency.

According to the committee, “The Comptroller-General, had ignored six invitations, must address some queries regarding remittances that the service ought to have made” .

The committee has however fixed Wednesday, April 10, as the date Dikko must appear before it, noting that failing to respond to sundry issues raised by the· office of the Auditor-General of the federation may not be welcome.

The members of the committee took time to lambast the CGC for his arrogance and insubordination. The chairman of the committee, Hon. Solomon Olanilekan, expressed dismay at what he called consistent failure of the customs boss to honour their invitation.

It was gathered that the customs CG traveled to Ghana, but however delegated Deputy Comptroller- General (DG), John Atte, to represent him at the scheduled meeting, a development that angered the House committee members.

A member of the committee said, “we are not happy, the CG cannot be above board. That he is controlling revenue and in charge of too much money does not make him above board”.

The House of Representatives are also probing the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of the N5.6 billion, which the corporation spent yearly on oil pipeline protection in violation of the NSCDC Act.

The House resolution was taken through a motion moved by Hon. Robinson Uwak on the contract awarded by the NNPC for pipeline protection, a role that is statutorily allocated to the Nigerian security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The three commuters comprises of Petroleum Resources (Down stream) Interior and National Security and Intelligence were mandated to investigate the matter and report to the whole House within four weeks.

According to Hon. Robinson Uwak, the NNPC spent N5.6 billion yearly on the. protection of oil pipelines in violation of the NSCDC Act, which empowers the corps to protect the pipelines in section 3(1) of the NSCDC it stated, “the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps shall maintains 24 hours surveillance over infrastructure, sites and projects of the federal, states and local government.

The NSCDC has the power to arrest without a warrant, detain, investigate and institute legal proceedings against any person who is reasonably suspected to have committed an offence under this Act, or is involved in any power transmission lines or, oil pipelines, Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) cables equipment, water board pipes and equipment vandalism.

Hon Uwak stated that the huge sums of money spent in servicing the pipeline contract could be invested in funding the NSCDC to enable it carry out its statutory functions, rather than giving it to a private firm in violation of the law”.

Business

Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

The suspects were discovered aboard a merchant vessel, MT Chinafrie Happiness, in an attempted illegal voyage out of the country.

This was contained in a statement issued by Sub Lieutenant A.O. Ajayi, Naval Assistant to the Commander, NNS Beecroft.

The statement said the Handover is part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration aimed at strengthening maritime security, curbing illegal migration, and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

According to the statement, the suspects were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

The five suspects were safely evacuated by Naval Personnel’s and taken to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation, profiling, and documentation before being transferred to immigration authorities for further action.

The statement gave their identity as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).

Preliminary findings indicated that the individuals allegedly boarded the vessel while it was docked at Tin Can Island Port with the intention of stowing away to India without valid travel documentation or authorisation.

The statement also noted that stowaway attempts pose significant risks to human life and maritime safety, as individuals often hide in hazardous compartments of vessels under extreme conditions that could lead to injury or death.

The Naval statement warned that illegal boarding of ships remains a serious maritime security challenge and called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to discourage youths from engaging in such dangerous and unlawful acts.

The statement reaffirmed the commitment of NNS Beecroft to sustained maritime security operations in line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, aimed at maintaining a professional and effective naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations for national security.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

Navy Nabs 13 Black Sand Miners In Bayelsa –Impound Two Boats

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has arrested Thirteen 13 Black Sand miners in Bayelsa state

The Service also impounded two Wooden Boats used for the illegal operations

Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said this in a statement issued to Newsmen in Abuja.

Folorunsho said with the operation, the Navy had recorded another operational success in its efforts to curb illegal exploitation of natural resources

According to Folorunsho the operation was conducted by Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, following credible intelligence on the movement of boats suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities.

He said the intelligence revealed the boats were operating within the coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area.

“Acting on the intelligence, Naval personnel intercepted the boats at Lekeson and Liama communities, where large quantities of suspected illegally mined black sand were discovered onboard.

“A total of 13 crew members were arrested in connection with the activity,” he said.

The Naval Director of information said that the successful operation underscored the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and preventing the illegal exploitation of natural resources that undermine economic development and environmental sustainability.

“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining operations against illegal resource extraction and other maritime crimes, while maintaining security and stability within the nation’s waterways,” he said.

Folorunsho also said that the two wooden boats recovered, the black sand and the 13 suspects have subsequently been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Nembe Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said this was done in line with the extant procedures and directives of the Bayelsa Government.

The Naval spokesperson reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime resources.

Folorunsho assured that it would also ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe and secure for legitimate economic activities.

CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

NCS Holds Free Medical Outreach For 2,000 Daura Residents

Published

1 month ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held its 7th Retreat Medical Outreach in Daura, Katsina State,

Customs said the Free medical outreach is aimed at providing free healthcare services to residents of the area.

Speaking during the event, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Ahmad Tijjani-Abe, said the programme would provide general medical consultations, dental care, eye and ear care, as well as minor surgical operations for beneficiaries.

Tijjani-Abe said medical teams deployed for the exercise would also provide free medications to patients attending the outreach.

He added that the service would visit schools within the area to deworm students and distribute health kits and mosquito nets to help prevent malaria among children.

Also Speaking, Dr Ethelbert Ikechukwu, Medical Team Leader of the outreach said the exercise was part of the initiative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which had been carried out in different parts of the country over the years.

According to him, the programme is designed to support communities where customs personnel operate by offering free medical consultations and medications to residents.

Ikechukwu further explained that patients whose conditions could not be fully managed at the outreach centre would be referred to appropriate medical facilities for further treatment.

Ikechukwu urged members of the public to take advantage of the exercise, noting that the medical teams comprised highly qualified healthcare professionals.

The outreach targets about 2,000 patients across various areas of medical care.