Maritime

Suspected Smugglers Kill Customs Officer

Published

13 years ago

September 6, 2013

Some suspected smugglers
killed a Customs Officer at Ashipa Area of Seme Border in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, last Thursday.
The suspected smugglers angrily clubbed the Customs officer to death over the death a motorist identified as Mr. Saturday who was believed to have been shot by a Customs Officer around operation two area while attempting to smuggle rice from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
The Tide gathere that the incident occurred at about 0950 hours at Ashipa along Seme -Badagry Express Road, as the Officer was heading for a meeting at the Seme Customs Command Headquarters, when the mob accosted his car and burnt him alive.
But another sources has it that the attack was a reprisal to the killing of Mr. Saturday by an unidentified Custom’s Officer at the Seme Border.
The Seme Custom Command spokesman, Mr. Ernest Ollotah, who confirmed the incident said the attack was as a result of the readiness of men and officers of the command to bring smuggling activities to an end.
Ollotah said that security personnel would trail the suspects and arrest them for prosecution.
According to him with heavy and sorrowful heart, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service announced the gruesome killing of one of our Senior Officers by some smugglers in the Ashipa Area of Seme on Thursday 29th August, 2013 at about 0950 hours.
“The deceased Customs officer while in his official uniform unarmed and driving to the Commands headquarters for a routine meeting was accosted by a mob who forced him out of his vehicle. Buoyed by an identified Chief of the community, the officer was murdered in cold blood and his vehicle set ablaze.
According to the spokesman, it is worth noting that the intensification of our anti-smuggling operation which has led to the making of over 686 seizures since January 2013 has placed us on the danger of attacks from criminals who are being prevented from using the border for the anti-
economic and other nefarious activities.
“Our operatives due to uncompromising stance against smuggling and
protecting the nation’s economy have come under series of attacks by
smugglers and some unpatriotic elements who see smuggling as their right.
“In some cases attempts made at disarming some of our operatives in the
recent past were rebuffed” he added.
He explained further, that the Area Comptroller of Seme border, Comptroller
Othman Saleh has in collaboration with sister government agencies
including the Police Force, commenced moves to bring the perpetrators of
the heinous crime to book, adding that the unfortunate incident will not deter
operatives of the command under the watch of Othman from carrying
out their lawful duties.

Maritime

Navy Seeks Partnerships To Boost Indigenous Shipbuilding, Operations

Published

3 days ago

April 20, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has expressed readiness to partner with relevant organisations to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding capacity and enhance naval operations.

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made this known in Abuja while receiving the Managing Director of ASELSAN Nigeria Limited, Amadou Thiam, during a courtesy visit to Naval Headquarters.

This was contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho and made available to The Tide.

The CNS said the move was in line with the Navy’s strategic objective of promoting local content development, technology transfer and sustainable capacity growth.

He described the engagement as timely and strategic, noting that Navy remained committed to collaborations that would deliver tangible benefits to Nigeria’s defence industrial base.

Abbas emphasised the importance of structured partnerships, particularly through government-to-government frameworks, to ensure transparency, efficiency and alignment with national security priorities.

Earlier, Thiam said ASELSAN was ready to establish a long-term partnership with the Nigerian Navy through joint ventures and collaboration with indigenous shipyards.

He said the company’s expertise in areas such as unmanned systems, infrared search and track systems, in addition to integrated combat solutions and the modernisation of naval platforms.

According to him, the delegation’s visit to Naval Dockyard Limited, where the construction of Seaward Defence Boats is ongoing, further demonstrated opportunities for synergy with Nigeria’s growing shipbuilding capacity.

The CNS reiterated that such partnerships would position the Nigerian Navy for enhanced maritime security operations.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

MWUN Raises Alarm Over Port Security Lapses In Lagos

Published

3 weeks ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised alarm over poor policing of Lagos Port waterfronts

The President General MWUN Francis Bunu said this when

members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) visited the union’s headquarters ahead of the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day.

He described attacks on vessels at berth as unacceptable in a regulated port environment, stressing that such incidents undermined confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

According to him, marine police are mandated to secure berthed vessels through effective patrols and surveillance across port waterfronts.

“Why will a vessel berth and people come across the water in numbers to attack it?.

“These vessels are foreign-owned. How do they want Nigeria to be viewed in the international community?” Bunu said

The President said such breaches revealed lapses in coordination among security agencies, warning that, “urgent action was needed to restore confidence.

“Somebody is certainly not doing their job. We cannot have these attacks without decisive intervention from responsible agencies,”

Bunu reacted to a recent breach at Eko Support Terminal, where unidentified assailants reportedly attacked a berthed vessel last week.

He said the incident heightened concerns among ship operators and port users about safety within Nigerian ports.

The MWUN President warned that repeated attacks at berths could discourage international shipping lines and worsen Nigeria’s maritime risk profile.

He called for stronger security presence around port berths and waterfronts, stressing that such insecurity raises broader concerns about territorial waters.

Bunu urged security agencies and port authorities to review surveillance and patrol systems to prevent further attacks and reassure global operators.

Earlier, President of SCAN,Mr Moses Ebosele, commended Bunu for protecting workers’ interests and supporting industry growth.

Ebosele said the visit was part of preparations for the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day celebration organised by the association.

He appealed for support from maritime workers to ensure the success of the event.

Ebosele said this year’s celebration would emphasise environmentally friendly practices and modern technologies in Nigerian seaports.

According to him, the theme, ‘Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,’ will guide discussions among key maritime stakeholders.

He added, the initiative aimed to improve environmental performance while sustaining economic viability and maritime trade.

Ebosele said participants would also explore dockworkers’ contributions to the economy and strategies for strengthening their role in a green economy.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Nigerian Navy Plans CMTF To Safeguard GOG

Published

3 weeks ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has stepped up efforts to strengthen regional maritime security with plans to establish a Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF), positioning it as a multinational initiative to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea GOG

Navy said the collaboration would enhance global shipping safety.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said this in a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information and made available to Newsmen

Vice Admiral Idi Abbas who received the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jen Ole Bach Hansen, at Naval Headquarters, Abuja, reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership role in driving a coordinated multinational maritime security framework in the Gulf of Guinea, a critical corridor for international trade.

Abbas stressed the region remains vital to global shipping, noting that countries like Denmark depend significantly on its sea lanes for commerce.

Vice Admiral Abbas disclosed that the proposed CMTF, expected to commence operations by mid-2026, would bring together “like-minded nations” to improve maritime domain awareness, boost joint response capabilities, and consolidate recent gains against piracy and other maritime threats in the region.

He called for robust Danish support in both the operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the initiative, describing such collaboration as crucial to maintaining security and stability within the Gulf of Guinea.

The Naval chief also extended an invitation to the Danish Navy to participate in the Nigerian Navy’s forthcoming International Fleet Review, a move aimed at strengthening interoperability and deepening naval cooperation between both countries.

Earlier Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to expanding its defence and maritime partnership with Nigeria under its Africa Strategy.

He noted that bilateral relations between both countries, particularly in maritime security, have witnessed significant progress since 2024.

The envoy acknowledged Nigeria’s strides in improving maritime security and expressed Denmark’s readiness to deepen collaboration in pursuit of shared security objectives in the Gulf of Guinea.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to sustained strategic cooperation, with a shared goal of ensuring a secure and stable maritime environment that supports regional and global economic activities.#

By: CHINEDU WOSU