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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate a brand new year, the pioneer maritime journalists’ group, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), has implored the entire business community, especially maritime industry stakeholders, to join the association afresh in advancing the cause of the industry to ensure more impact and relevance in the national economy in the new year and beyond.
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‎In a New Year message, MARAN  Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayodele described 2026 as a “year of greater impact,” stressing the need for improved service delivery and more robust maritime reportage to support national development.
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‎According to him, the collective efforts of stakeholders in the outgoing year contributed positively to the growth of the maritime sector, urging all parties to sustain the spirit of unity and collaboration in the new year.
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‎“United, we can make Nigeria proud by contributing our quota to national development, each from our own little corner,” the MARAN chairman said.
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‎Ayodele reaffirmed MARAN’s readiness to collaborate with organisations and institutions across the maritime value chain, noting that such partnerships are crucial to making Nigeria’s maritime space one that is admired and celebrated.
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‎He expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support extended to the association throughout 2025 and called for renewed commitment in the year ahead.
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‎“Thank you for your cooperation and support in 2025. Let us do it again in 2026,” he added.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎In the ongoing efforts to thwart economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services Ltd, the firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations in the  oil -rich region, has nabbed four suspected oil thieves, intercepting their vessel named MT Thor. Suspects are to undergo trial for economic sabotage .
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‎Speaking at the handover of the suspects at Koko Port, Tantita’s Executive Director of Operations, Capt Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally-sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
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‎The interception occurred on 15 December 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, says a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
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‎The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
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‎It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
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‎Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
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‎“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
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‎“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
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‎“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
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‎“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
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‎“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
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‎Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Seven days to the end of 2025, the Tincan Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has comfortably met her revenue target for the year, exceeding same by over N51.8 billion.
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‎The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka who stated this in Lagos, Wednesday, announced that the Command generated a total of ₦1.576 trillion in revenue, surpassing its assigned target of ₦1.524 trillion by about ₦51.84 billion.

‎The performance which he described as remarkable came about following the decision of his officers and men to be on the path of discipline, professionalism and unwavering commitment to trade rules and regulations.
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‎Other enhancers of the achievement, he explained, included the strict implementation of deliberate reforms, improved operational efficiency and a strong sense of collective responsibility.
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‎He said that major contributors to the increased revenue in the year included bulk cargo, general merchandise and imported ‘tokunboh’ vehicles. Strict cargo examination procedures and full compliance with customs regulations ensured accurate assessment and collection of expected revenue.
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‎The Command employed conscious efforts to eliminate revenue leakages and operational inefficiency even as multiple and unnecessary alerts were substantially curtailed by adopting a streamlined alert management and enhanced internal coordination.
‎“This strategy improved operational efficiency without compromising effective customs control”, the CAC disclosed.
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‎Commending the role of stakeholders engagement in the realization of the annual revenue, Onyeka recalled regular interaction with importers, licensed customs agents, terminal operators and shipping companies.
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‎Diligent enforcement coupled with intelligence-driven operations also resulted in massive seizure of prohibited and undeclared goods.
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‎“These seizures reflect our determination to facilitate trade while safeguarding national security, public safety, and economic integrity”, he remarked.
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‎He assured that the Command is ever ready to sustain and improve on the 2025 revenue performance and compliance enforcement. All revenue due to the federal government will be properly assessed, collected and remitted at all times.
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‎The Tin Can Island Port Customs boss expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi for his strategic leadership and institutional support, noting that the Command’s success aligns with the Service’s ongoing reform and modernisation agenda.
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‎He also commended stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment to improved compliance and adherence to extant rules.
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‎“As we progress, the Command remains focused on consolidating these gains, deepening transparency, and contributing meaningfully to the federal government’s fiscal objectives”, Onyeka stated.
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