Maritime

‘Police Illegally Invade ANLCA Secretariat’

Published

4 years ago

February 21, 2022

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) says the Police have illegally invaded its secretariat,
ANLCA alleged that expelled members of the Association, led by Taiwo Mustapha, deceived the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with a court injuction obtained in 2019 to invade the association’s secretariat.
Briefing journalists in Lagos recently, ANLCA Vice President, Dr Kayode Farinto and Secretary General, Mukaila Babatunde, said the court had in 2019 vacated the injunction the Taiwo Mustapha group allegedly used in deceiving the Nigeria Police to seal up the association’s secretariat.
They also disclosed that the plaintiff had expressed readiness for out of court settlement before the invasion of their secretariat on Wednesday, February 16th, 2022.
The group, however, expressed readiness to petition the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, over alleged illegal invasion by some police officers and hoodlums allegedly led by expelled board Chairman, Taiwo Mustapha.
Speaking during the briefing, Farinto stated that the NPF goofed for not carrying out thorough investigation before being used by expelled members to carry out the illegal act on the national secretariat.
On his part, the National Secretary of the Association, Babatunde Mukaila, informed that the attack on the secretariat was carried out without bailiff from the court, hence that the sealing of the secretariat was illegal.
He informed that the attack on the secretariat was carried out while some members of the NECOM where at the National Assembly on the invitation of Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Customs & Excise duty, Rep Leke Abejide, to speak on the CBN’s new policy on e-invoicing.
Mukaila informed that the Police were deceived with a court order obtained in 2019 purportedly trying to unseat the Tony Iju led NECOM.
He, however, said the order was challenged in court after 14 days stating that the case is in court and as such cannot be used as a ground to seal up the secretariat.
He also disclosed that the hoodlums beat up members of staff including corp members at the ANLCA secretariat.
“We were told they came with three policemen from Festac and multitude of hoodlums who came with daggers and all sort.
“They broke the padlocks, destroyed the main gate, went to the main entrance, destroy whatever they can destroy and they deflated all the car tyres, beat up all the people they met, including corp members.
“The result is what everyone now knows: that Taiwo Muatapha led the gang that purportedly took over the secretariat without any warrant.
“I want to state that there was no court bailiff present at that premises because if court is coming to enforce judgement with the police, the bailiff of the court ought to be there.
“After that, they left and position those three policemen and truck load of soldiers there.
“On arrival from Abuja, we move straight to the Area Command in Festac but, unfortunately the Area Commander had closed but we met some officers who were able to give us hint about what happened.
“According to the officer, the court order that was gotten in August 2019 purportedly trying to unseat the Tony Iju NECOM that was challenged after 14 days with the case still in court was the same order Mustapha purportedly presented to the Inspector General as being valid and still in force.
“So the IG ordered the AIG Zone 2, the AIG then ordered the Area Command, the Area Command then ordered the DPO to enforce that order, but today we’ve been with the Area Command and the DPO to prove our case that the order is a spent order, so it is not supposed to be in the interest of Police without inviting the other party .
“The interesting truth about the order is that the plaintiff, Obokun freight forwarder, told their counsel that they aren’t interested in the case anymore rather they want out of court settlement.
“We have the certified true copy of that proceeding of the court where their lawyers pronounced that they want out of court settlement and that the judge is giving us four weeks to seat together”, he explained.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

NPA Vows To Sustain Sanity On Port Access Roads ……Deploys ETO To Enhance Truck Movement

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reiterated it’s commitment to preventing a return to the severe Apapa gridlock that previously plaqued the Lagos ports access roads.

It said the electronic truck call- up system ( ETO) has been recently reviewed and enhanced to integrate terminal gates directly with the ETO platform.

Speaking in reaction to media reports on the resurgence of gridlock on port access roads, Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, said the NPA, in line with its mandate to ensure the smooth operation of port activities and the free flow of traffic around the Apapa Port Complex corridor, remained fully committed to maintaining order and preventing any reoccurrence of the gridlock previously experienced along the access roads.

“We have recently undertaken a review and enhancement of the ETO system, which now integrates Terminal Gates directly with the ETO platform.

“This integration is designed to provide a structured sequencing of truck movements, both inbound and outbound within the Apapa Port Complex.

“The objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency, improve traffic efficiency, and maintain a sustainable operating environment around the ports.

“However, the success of this system depends largely on the cooperation and compliance of all Stakeholders, including Terminal Operators, Transport Unions, Drivers, Clearing Agents, and Government Agencies (Both Federal and State).

“Sequencing truck entry and exit is not rocket science. With sincerity of purpose and commitment from all concerned, we can achieve and maintain orderliness and prevent a return to the chaotic conditions of the past.

“It is in our best interest, because smooth Ingress and Egress of Trucks will, in the long run, bring about high turnover for all stakeholders,” he stated.

Maritime

DANTSOHO Calls For Synergy In Revamping Nation’s Ports

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has called for synergy in revamping the nation’s ports.

Dantsoho made the call shortly after the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He insisted that without collaboration amongst major actors little or nothing would be achieved in revamping the ports

“Until there is collaboration and partnership you cannot achieve efficiency at the ports”, he said.

Dantsoho highlighted steps taken by the Ports Authority to address bottlenecks faced by importers and exporters at the nation’s ports.

The MD said the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee established by the NPA is recording huge successes through the joint inspection and boarding by relevant agencies operating in the area.

He identified adoption of technology, improvement in infrastructure, human capacity building, equipment and tools, as areas that could be improved to enhance port efficiency.

This, according to him, would ensure that Nigeria remains competitive and relevant in the sub-region, continent and beyond.

Speaking at the event, the Director – General, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Audu, called for collective resolve among stakeholders to improve port operations, making cargo clearance faster and more efficient.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee, Audi however, decried the losses incurred as a result of the inefficiency at the nation’s ports,

Audu described the committee as a platform that represents not only interagency collaboration but a shared commitment to making Nigeria’s ports globally competitive, transparent, and efficient.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

Customs To Partner NAPTIP On Human Trafficking Menace

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) said it will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in combating human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species.

The Comptroller General Cust oms, Adewale Adeniyi stated this while playing host to the Courtesy Visit by a delegation from NAPTIP, in his office, in Abuja.

He noted that Nigeria’s security challenges require joint action, as the Service does not view crimes solely through the lens of smuggling but through broader national security implications.

Adeniyi said “We believe in the power of collaboration,We can achieve more with less when we work together.”

The Comptroller General revealed that the Service has intensified its work on environmental sustainability and the enforcement of international conventions regarding flora and fauna, assured the delegation that Customs will fully collaborate on the upcoming national dialogue on human trafficking and stowaway incidents, scheduled for February 2026.

He pledged to provide technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and access to the Service’s training curriculum to strengthen inter-agency understanding of trafficking dynamics.

“We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally”

” We will work with your designated officials on the February summit and explore wider interventions that reinforce national security”, he stated.

Adeniyi commended the delegation for their continued service to the country and assured them of Customs’ unwavering support.

Earlier, the Director General, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, expressed delight at securing formal engagement with the Customs Service.

She stated that NAPTIP was eager to strengthen operational partnerships, particularly in areas such as intelligence exchange, policy development, and cross-border enforcement.

In her words, “I am happy today that I finally made it here and held this discussion with the Comptroller-General. We are a law enforcement agency with mandates to prevent, prosecute and protect as partnership with Customs is essential for our work”

She noted that human trafficking continues to evolve, requiring close coordination among agencies operating at Nigeria’s multiple entry and exit points.

Also Speaking former Director with NIMASA; Hajia Lami Tumaka, said the visit was to seek Customs’ partnership for a one-day national policy dialogue on human trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.

Tumaka described Customs as a “strategic player in border management and maritime enforcement,” adding that its involvement is critical to the success of the dialogue.

“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable”, she said.

By: Chinedu Wosu