Maritime

Customs Releases 40 Trucks Of Seized Woods

Published

10 years ago

April 29, 2016

The Association of Mari
time Truck Owners (AMARTO) said on Tuesday, that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had ordered the release of 40 trucks of unprocessed woods impounded from its members.
The Chairman of AMARTO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, told newsmen in Lagos that the trucks were impounded by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja.
He said that the trucks were seized between October 2015 and February 2016 on their way to the ports, carrying unprocessed woods classified under the Customs Export Prohibition List.
The AMARTO boss said that the association was introducing an indemnity form for its members in order to exonerate them whenever they are accosted by Customs.
“This is to be done in collaboration with the Association of Woods Exports and Processing and the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
Ogungbemi said that some shippers and clearing agents were the causes of problems faced by truckers because most of them failed to declare correctly what they were carrying for either export or import.
The AMARTO boss expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, and other customs officers at the headquarters in Abuja for their magnanimity in releasing the seized trucks.
He said that owners of the trucks and their businesses had been stranded since the trucks were impounded.
“More than 40 trucks were impounded, some were seized at FOU, Tin-Can Island and Apapa but majority of the trucks are at FOU Ikeja.
“Tomorrow we would go to Ikeja to take inventory and take stock of the trucks there and process their release. This will require us hiring a crane to put the containers down,’’ Ogungbemi said.
He explained that the management of Customs intervened, adding that after findings and investigations, they discovered that truck drivers were not the shippers and that the drivers were not involved.
“Out of their (NCS) magnanimity, Customs ordered the release of the trucks.
“Our members are suffering and falling victims because an unscrupulous shipper will not tell Customs what they are exporting or importing.
“I am highly impressed that the management of Customs deemed it fit to send somebody from Abuja. The person came to brief and educated us on what and what we should be carrying,” the AMARTO boss said..
Speaking on the introduction of indemnity form for truckers, Ogungbemi said the form was free.
“Our members would not know which one is legitimate and which one is illegitimate.
“This is why we have come up with an indemnity form which will contain all the information about the agent, the importer, the loading point and the agency name,’’ the AMARTO boss said.
According to him, this is to ensure that if our trucks are accosted, through the form, the authority will know all the information about the cargo”
“Most times, truck drivers do not know their importers or the agents of the cargoes but with the indemnity form they will know all information about the cargo they carry.
“We want to indemnify our members and this is why we are embarking on the use of forms.
“We will go further to seek audience with the management of Nigeria Customs Service to approve and authorise the form so that it would become a condition by which all trucks would be allowed into the port to load or discharge cargoes.
“Shippers should declare correctly what is going out or coming into the country. They are the people giving us all these problems and not the Customs.
“If all shippers can be honest, there would be no need for Customs to arrest our members,’’ The Tide source further quotes him as saying.

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.