Transport
CARGO EVACUATION: Minister Tasks NPA on Lekki Deepsea Port
By Izuckwukwu Ozoemena
Transportation Minister, Engr Muazu Sambo has charged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to ensure no cargo movement in and out of new Lekki Deepsea Port takes place unless rail services are available. This is to prevent a possible replication of the Apapa and Tincan ports experience whereby cargo movement has continued to suffer avoidable hitches with valued stakeholders unduly suffering for no fault of theirs.
The Minister was speaking in Lagos, Friday, as special guest at an event hosted by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to commemorate her 34th anniversary.
Engr Sambo was emphatic that he had instructed the NPA not to allow movement of cargo by road from Lekki Deepsea Port to the hinterland when full operations commence in the new port next year.
Permitting cargo movement by road to and from the Lekki Deepsea Port, he stated, wold amount to replicating the ugly Apapa experience in the Lekki-Epe axis of the State. As an alternative, NPA should encourage the use of barges in the interim, the Minister said, as this stands to generate a lot of jobs for people fabricating the barges locally while building capacity for Nigerians.
“Lekki Deepsea Port, I have told them (the NPA) that I don’t want them to move goods to that port or from that port by road. There is no reason we should have another Apapa at the Lekki-Epe axis. I will not accept it. I have told NPA that. To start with, we must do barging; let us do barge operations that will generate a lot of jobs for people who construct barges and so on and at the same time build capacity for our people.”
He recalled that he recently visited the Customs Comptroller General, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd) where he appealed o the Service hat te scanning room in Apapa Port be relocated as it obstructs rail line connection to te port. “The reason he gave me was that we (the Ministry) was supposed to have made payment to decontaminate the place and thereafter, they will come and remove the pavements. I came back to the Ministry, made inquiries. Iwas told that the Ministry had made tat payment long time ago. So, my intention is to go back with evidence to show the CG that we have made payment a long time ago and there is o reason that building should still be standing because I don’t understand why and how it should take an age to remove it.
“I am also happy to have noted that during my visit to the DG, he told me that one of the issues they have is that they have scanners at the port but those scanners were not commissioned. Only a week or two ago, I think the Minister of Finance went to commission them. So, when I go back next week, I will say to him now that the scanners have been commissioned, I hope that we are going to see a lot of improvement in the clearin process.
On the ease of doing business in the port, the Minister said he was considering ports community system as a strategy that will aid cargo evacuation.
“Talking about the clearing process and the ease of doing business in our ports, one of the things I’m also pursuing is the port community system. That is the surest way of taking cargo out of our ports within a matter of hours. If other African countries have port community system working, why can’t we have it in Nigeria?”
On the relevance of the Customs in port business, he enjoined planners of events to ensure the agency is carried along at all times.
“I want to appeal to our maritime reporters, whenever you convene an event like this, make sure that the Customs are always represented by all meanseven if you have to drag them by a long rope.”
Sambo regretted the pains he had as a manager at the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, that the inland waterways transportation mode was never developed. But as the current Minister in charge of the agency, he stated, he has mapped out two projects to bring a turnaround. These include creating a trans-shipment hub at the Lagos Marina and putting in place a channels management.
“That is the one that is supposed to serve as a hub from Marina. When ships come into the harbour, they do trans-shipment into barges or specialized vessels that can travel over a maximum of two to three eters draught all through the inter-coastal routes to Warri and Onitsha.”
“The other one is channels management, the company, the Chinese investors that are willing and have the capacity to manage the channel. I have told my people in the Ministry that if I don’t have these two projects off the ground, people are going to cry. I will make examples with some people if these two projects don’t take off by next year.”
“So, when we combine the alternatives, then we can now tell haulage people that you can no lonegr take petroleum products by road; you can no longer take construction materials by road; you can no longer take cement by road so that our roads will last longer.
On the Deep Blue Project, the Minister disclosed that it was responsible for protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain. For more than one year President Buhari launched itin Lagos, he recalled, “we have not heard of any reported case of piracy in our maritime domain”>
“I think that is an achievement in the sense that in the next one year or two, if we’re able to convince IMO and the Lloyds of this world, then our insurance costs for imported goods into Nigeria will be much lower because right now, they pay what is called war insurance risk.”
The MARAN 34th anniversary event was graced by an array of key players in the maritime sector including the Transportation Minister, Engr Sambo, NIMASA DG Dr Bashir Jamoh, Barr Hassan Bello, former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Chief Remi Ogungbemi of AMATO and Mr Damilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos Waterways Authority, LASWA. Others included the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, former NIMASA DG, Dr Ade Dosunmu and Dr Bolaji Akinola, ex-MARAN President and renowned maritime publisher.
Those represented include Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho, Barr Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN; Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, APMT and others.
Customs
Freight Forwarders Warn FAAN To Halt New Charges In Airport Cargo Operations or Risk Rumble in the Sector .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
If the recent arbitrary increase in charges by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is not reviewed, cargo operations across airports nationwide risk disruption, prompting huge losses in government revenue, airports freight forwarders have warned.
Leaders of major associations operating at the nation’s airports stated this in Lagos, Tuesday. The associations included the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), African Professionals Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) and NAFFAC.
Featuring at the briefing, among others, were Dr. Segun Musa, Deputy National President of NAGAFF in charge of Air and Logistics, and Mr. Tope Akindele, Chairman, Airport Chapter of ANLCA.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Dr. Musa traced the controversy to an agreement reached with FAAN in 2010 over the collection of a seven-naira-per-kilogram levy on cargo, which, according to him, was tied to the allocation of land for the development of a cargo village at the airport.
He explained that prior to that agreement, FAAN had been collecting two naira per kilogram, a charge the freight forwarders had challenged on the grounds that FAAN, having concessioned cargo operations to companies such as NAHCO and SAHCOL, was not directly provding cargo handling services.
He said the associations had formally written FAAN at the time, arguing that the two-naira charge was illegal, a move that led to prolonged negotiations that reportedly lasted for about two weeks and disrupted activities at the airport. According to him, an eventual compromise was the introduction of the seven-naira charge in exchange for the allocation of land to build a cargo village, a deal he said formed the basis for the current arrangement.
“The seven naira we are talking about is attached to this land. It is like rent on this land,” Musa said, insisting that FAAN had no right to impose fresh charges without first engaging stakeholders. He argued that, just as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) relates with terminal operators after concessioning the seaports, FAAN should deal with its concessionaires rather than directly imposing charges on operators.
The freight forwarders also raised financial concerns, claiming that FAAN had already made substantial sums from the seven-naira levy over the years. Musa said that in 2010 alone, FAAN collected over one billion naira from the charge and that from 2010 to date, the cumulative amount would be far higher than the value of the land allocated for the cargo village.
The immediate trigger for the latest dispute, according to the associations, is FAAN’s decision to increase the existing charges without consultation, a move they said was followed by a threat letter warning of possible demolition of their secretariats. The groups described this as coercive and counterproductive, stressing that they were not opposed to a review of charges but it must be done through dialogue.
Instead of imposing higher fees, they argued, FAAN should work with operators to create an enabling environment that would increase cargo throughput, which in turn raise revenue. “The more cargo we have, the more revenue they generate,” Musa said, adding that the present approach would only hurt all parties involved.
Mr. Tope Akindele, Chairman of ANLCA Airport Chapter, said the ongoing standoff had already begun to affect revenue generation. He noted that cargo activities had slowed in recent days because many operators were staying away from work in protest. According to him, if a concessionaire that used to make about one billion naira weekly is now making roughly half of that, continued disruption could lead to even worse outcomes for government revenue.
He stressed that the associations were not trying to sabotage government earnings, noting that any revenue yet to be paid due to the slowdown would still be collected once normal operations resume. “We want government daily revenue to continue. We are not frustrating government revenue. We are ready to continue paying, but let us dialogue within the shortest time so our job can commence,” he said.
Akindele also argued that globally, increments in charges are usually benchmarked around 25 per cent, adding that this was the standard the associations were willing to consider. Beyond that, he said, stakeholders should jointly explore ways to increase cargo volume rather than rely solely on higher levies.
Other speakers at the briefing raised concerns about what they described as multiple layers of charges on the same cargo. They pointed out that cargo handlers and airlines already collect various fees per kilogram, which are ultimately linked to FAAN, and argued that imposing additional charges on freight forwarders amounts to double or even triple taxation within the same cargo chain.
One of the speakers claimed that aside payments to cargo handlers and airlines, some charges could reach as high as 30 naira per kilogram in certain instances, warning that piling more levies on operators would further increase the cost of doing business and weaken the competitiveness of Nigeria’s air cargo sector.
The associations also recalled that the original dispute over the legality of the levy had not been fully resolved in court, but was set aside in favour of a mutual understanding aimed at keeping the industry running. They warned that if FAAN proceeds unilaterally or attempts to formalise the new charges without broad stakeholder agreement, the matter could return to the courts.
The freight forwarders called on the Minister of Aviation to intervene and prevail on FAAN to open talks with stakeholders. They stressed that they were not protesting, not carrying placards, and not seeking confrontation, but were instead asking for engagement that would lead to a mutually beneficial resolution.
They warned that if cargo operations at airports across the country were to grind to a halt, the wider economy would suffer, describing such a scenario as a “lose-lose” situation for operators and government alike. Despite the tension, they said they had advised members nationwide to continue working and avoid actions that could escalate the situation.
The associations assured the Federal Government that once negotiations begin, normal operations would resume immediately, with the existing status quo maintained pending the outcome of discussions. They also reiterated their willingness to work with FAAN and other government agencies to grow cargo volumes and, by extension, government revenue.
“We are here to appeal. We are not here to threaten or to protest or to cause a breakdown of law and order,” Musa said. He added that most operators depend on daily airport activities to feed their families and sustain their businesses.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
For the umpteenth time, the Ports Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has made it clear that it remains a no-go area for unlawful trade under any guise.
As a Command, the PTML Customs has an unshaken commitment to implement the Revised Kyoto Convention, which is a World Customs Organisation (WCO) instrument for trade facilitation while using available manpower and technology to exercise the required control for import and export trade.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani stated this at the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Friday, while handing-over seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
The seizures consist of five (5) pistols of different makes, one (1) Crossman pump master rifle, 132 Remington live cartridges, 51 9 mm Lugar live ammunition and four (4) 9mm magazines.
Others were forty (40) 9mm, NIM FC 30-30 blank and hollow ammunition and one hundred and eighteen (118) of 9mm empty shells.
”These arms and ammunition were uncovered in 25 different occasions by our officers during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 to 2025.”
”These seizures are a fallout of the collective due diligence of the Command and other sister agencies in the port.”
The handing-over, he explained, follows the approval of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR psc(+).
Present at the event was the South- West Coordinator, National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) and his entourage. Others were the Management of Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited, sectional heads and heads of other sister agencies.
He explained that under the NCS Modernisation Project which was pioneered by the PTML Command, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, has raised the bar for productivity.
”I am pleased to announce that this Command will receive scanners soon as part of the modernisation project and our capacity to detect concealments, like these arms and ammunition would be greatly enhanced.”
Appreciating the Command’s compliant stakeholders for their cooperation at all times, he described them as l part of the Command’s success story.
The CAC announced that two days to the end of January, 2026, the PTML Command collected a total revenue of ₦44,058,849,416.65. This figure surpasses N40,497,594,223.89 realized in January, 2025 by N3,561,255,192.76, marking an 8.8% increase in revenue.
On behalf of the CGC, Comptroller Joe Anani formally handed over the seizures to the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for appropriate action.
Maritime Agencies
OGUN AREA 1 CUSTOMS: Suspected Armed Drug Traffickers Mount Barricades, Attack Officers. Two Personnel Critically Injured.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ogun Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has confirmed
a violent attack on its officers by suspected armed drug traffickers during an anti-smuggling operation at Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Thursday, 22 January 2026, at about 1600 hours. Zakari Chado, the Ogun Area 1 Command image maker stated this in a release, Sunday.
The incident, he explained, occurred while officers of the Command, acting on 1credible intelligence, intercepted a 12-tyre truck suspected to be conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs and other prohibited items. Before reinforcement teams could arrive, the suspects mobilised a large number of armed hoodlums and launched a coordinated attack on the patrol team.
In a deliberate effort to obstruct law enforcement, the attackers mounted heavy barricades at about nine (9) strategic points to block access routes, preventing timely reinforcement. They opened fire on the officers and disabled a Customs patrol vehicle by shooting out its tyres, creating a volatile and dangerous operational environment.
During the exchange, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service sustained gunshot injuries and are currently in critical condition, receiving intensive medical care. Exploiting the multiple barricades, the smugglers fled the scene with the intercepted truck. Investigation has commenced to identify, track, and apprehend all those involved in the attack.
Reacting to the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the act as barbaric and reaffirmed that such violent resistance will not deter the Command or the Service from discharging its statutory mandate to combat smuggling and protect national security.
He further called on traditional rulers and community leaders within the Command’s area of responsibility to caution their subjects against smuggling and attacks on security personnel, warning that offenders will face the full weight of the law.
The Acting Customs Area Controller assures law-abiding members of the public of their safety and reiterates the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to border security, public health, and the enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
We’re Ever Proactive In Intercepting Prohibited, Falsely Declared Goods, says Controller Onyeka.
Zone ‘A’ Coordinator, Mohammed Babandede, Visits Apapa Command, Commends Officers’ Sterling Performance.
Freight Forwarders Warn FAAN To Halt New Charges In Airport Cargo Operations or Risk Rumble in the Sector .
Lekki Deepsea Port: The Success Story of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
NAGAFF Pledges Watertight Enforcement, Unveils A More Formidable 100% Compliance Team.
PTML Customs Hands Over Seized Arms and Ammunition, Collects N44.06bn in January.
NAGAFF Compliance Team Set to Relaunch for Stronger Engagement, Enforcement.
WAR AGAINST KILLER DRUGS: Apapa Customs, NDLEA Collaborate To Nab Huge Quantity of ‘Canadian Loud’.
Seme Customs Raids Hideouts, Impounds 200 Bags of Smuggled Rice, Collects N2bn 3 Weeks into 2026.
Lekki Deepsea Port: The Success Story of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
OGUN AREA 1 CUSTOMS: Suspected Armed Drug Traffickers Mount Barricades, Attack Officers. Two Personnel Critically Injured.
KLT Customs Surpasses 2025 Revenue Target By a Wide Margin, Clamps Down on Expired Imports.
Suspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
FG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
1. EXECUTIVE PLATFORM. AMES 2024: TIME TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IS NOW, AMES President Charges FG.
APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
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OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
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FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
INLAND WATERWAYS OFFERS NIGERIA ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCE, Says Sambo
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Lilypond Export Command Is Meeting Expectations, Handles 70% of Nigeria’s Total Tonnage of Export Cargo, says CAC Odusanya.
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Customs3 weeks agoFG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
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Customs2 weeks agoKLT Customs Surpasses 2025 Revenue Target By a Wide Margin, Clamps Down on Expired Imports.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoSuspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoWAR AGAINST KILLER DRUGS: Apapa Customs, NDLEA Collaborate To Nab Huge Quantity of ‘Canadian Loud’.
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Customs6 days agoFreight Forwarders Warn FAAN To Halt New Charges In Airport Cargo Operations or Risk Rumble in the Sector .
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoOGUN AREA 1 CUSTOMS: Suspected Armed Drug Traffickers Mount Barricades, Attack Officers. Two Personnel Critically Injured.
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Customs2 weeks agoLekki Deepsea Port: The Success Story of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoSeme Customs Raids Hideouts, Impounds 200 Bags of Smuggled Rice, Collects N2bn 3 Weeks into 2026.