The United States Coast Guard has commenced a port security assessment in Lagos as part of an ongoing evaluation of selected Nigerian port facilities for compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code.
Sources familiar with the exercise at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, said the inspection team is expected to visit the Tin-Can Island Port as part of the programme.
The assessment, which began earlier in the week, is scheduled to run until Friday, March 6, 2026.
A memo obtained by journalists indicated that the exercise is aimed at reviewing the level of ISPS Code compliance at Nigerian ports and related facilities, with the objective of facilitating the possible removal of the Condition of Entry, COE, placed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria.
According to the document, the visiting team will access the port through designated entry points, including Abuja Gate and the First Gate to TICT, while exit movements will be routed through the Second Gate.
Security personnel at these access points have been instructed to strengthen control measures throughout the inspection period.
The memo also directed that K9 units and their handlers maintain a visible presence within the port area, while operations teams conduct continuous patrols to ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent security breaches.
Activities such as loitering, hawking and unauthorised parking are to be strictly curtailed.
Commenting on the development, maritime security expert, Irene Akpu described the visit as a standard international security audit to gauge Nigeria’s adherence to global port safety standards.
She said the outcome of the assessment could help address longstanding concerns over port security and support efforts to remove the war risk premium imposed on Nigeria due to perceived security gaps.
Akpu added that successful compliance could enhance Nigeria’s maritime profile and improve confidence among international shipping operators.

The Presidency has dismissed circulating social media reports alleging that kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa were arrested over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Tinubu.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification yesterday on his official X account where he shared a video of the report and categorically denied it.

The video purportedly shows activity at the presidential villa, accompanied by a voiceover reporting the incident.

The video claimed, “Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.

“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.

“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.

The video added, Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.

“The suspect, identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.

“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”

However, Onanuga dismissed the report as baseless fake news.

He wrote, “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video.”

As of the time of going to the Press authorities have not provided further details on the origin of the misleading video or potential motives behind its circulation.

Iranian state television yesterday confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, without referring to a massive US and Israeli attack on his residence.

A presenter on state television announced Khamenei’s death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning.

Khamenei, 86, had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

US President, Donald Trump, had on Saturday said that Khamenei had been killed in air strikes, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.

“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

Trump said the Iranian leader had been “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems.”

The US President said the death of Khamenei gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back their country.”

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces no longer want to fight and are looking for Immunity from us.

“As I said last night, Now they can have immunity, later they only get death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves.

“That process should soon start in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated.

“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!” Trump posted.

However, China has strongly condemned the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the killing yesterday when asked to comment on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.

The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.

China urges for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large, the spokesperson added.