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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called for immediate suspension and refund of illegal tolls and charges allegedly being collected from freight forwarders at some bonded terminals in Lagos.
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‎The demand is contained in a notice by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator of the Compliance Team, addressed to managers of bonded terminals operating under the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, Lagos.
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‎In the notice, NAGAFF gave the affected terminals seven days to provide documentary evidence of the legal authority backing the disputed charges or face possible regulatory and legal action.
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‎The association alleged that some bonded terminals, alongside individuals purportedly acting on behalf of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), have been imposing additional charges on imported containers and cargo handling separate from statutory fees payable to relevant government agencies.
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‎According to NAGAFF, the alleged charges are as high as $3,000 for a 20-foot container and $6,000 for a 40-foot container. The Association says more than ₦178 million has so far been collected from its members under the disputed charges.
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‎NAGAFF explained that it had repeatedly requested evidence of lawful authorisation for the collections, including gazettes, approved tariffs and other regulatory instruments, but these have not been provided.
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‎The association also questioned the transparency of the collections, citing what it described as the absence of official receipts issued by relevant regulatory authorities, published tariffs or legal notices establishing the charges.
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‎Continuous collection of the disputed fees, the Association argues, amounts to an unlawful restriction on trade facilitation even as it imposes additional financial burdens on freight forwarders operating through the affected terminals.
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‎NAGAFF therefore demands an immediate halt to the collection of the disputed charges and the refund of all sums it considers to have been unlawfully collected from its members.
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‎It further requests that where a refund cannot be made immediately, the affected terminals submit a written proposal for reconciliation and refund within a seven-day period.
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‎The association warns that failure to meet its demands could trigger further regulatory and legal measures including petitions to relevant government agencies, moves to shut down affected bonded terminals and legal proceedings to protect the interests of its members.
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‎NAGAFF also called on the Managing Director of the NPA to make available relevant instruments prohibiting the collection of association dues within ports and terminal areas.
‎Specifically, the association requested access to a purported NPA port order and a Lagos High Court order relating to the payment of such dues, saying the documents would help clarify the regulatory position on the disputed collections.
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‎NAGAFF insists that all charges imposed on freight forwarders and cargo owners within the port and terminal environment should have clear legal and regulatory backing for the sake of transparency.
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‎Such transparency and accountability, the Association says, were necessary to promote efficient trade facilitation and protect freight forwarders and cargo owners from what it described as unjustified financial burdens within the maritime sector.
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‎The notice was copied to the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), port managers, as well as the Founder and National President of NAGAFF.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, has restated the resolve of the Service to stop at nothing to identify, track, arrest, and prosecute every individual connected to criminal enterprises as Nigeria’s ports will never be safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods.
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‎The CGC made the vow in Lagos, Thursday, during a press conference at the Tincan Island Port Command to unveil a container bearing parts of pump-action rifles alongside the seizure of two 40-footer containers laden with cannabis-infused products concealed among imported goods.
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‎The operations, he explained, underscore the unwavering commitment of the Customs shield Nigeria’s borders from prohibited importations that threaten national security and public health.
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‎”On 8 July 2026, Container No. TEMU 184536/9 arrived at Tincan Island Port aboard MV VELIKA and was flagged through our intelligence-driven risk management system for enhanced monitoring. Acting on credible intelligence, officers placed the container under surveillance and subsequently subjected it to a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station.
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‎The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles, which are currently undergoing detailed technical examination and inventory to determine the exact quantity and configuration recovered.”
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‎”Investigations extended beyond the seizure. On 31 July 2026, one suspect was arrested at Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container. Documentary evidence, financial records, and telecommunications analysis established his connection with the named consignee, including a ₦10,000 payment received from a company account linked to the consignee on the day of his arrest. Two suspects are currently in custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively pursued.”
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‎”In a separate enforcement operation, officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying illicit cannabis-infused products concealed alongside two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries, and thunder arrester cables.
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‎”The seizures include: 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies (8,720 pieces; 17.44kg) valued at ₦308,792,640.
‎125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies (740 packs; 515.2kg) valued at ₦40,700,000.
‎73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies (442 packs; 309.4kg) valued at ₦24,310,000.
‎The combined street value of all illicit substances seized is ₦373,802,640.”
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‎He described the interceptions as strategic and worrisome because they demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks who exploit legitimate trade channels to traffic illicit weapons and dangerous narcotic products. The interceptions also reaffirm the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems, and strong inter-agency collaboration.
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‎CGC Adeniyi gave kudos to officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for being vigilant, professional and dedicated.
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‎He also appreciated the continued support of sister security and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the nation.
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‎”I assure Nigerians that the Service remains resolute in securing our borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods. We encourage members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support our efforts against smuggling and transnational organised crime.”
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‎”We will continue to keep the public informed as investigations progress and prosecutions commence.”
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The competition which was organised by the Western Marine Command in collaboration with the Apapa Chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), saw 380 students from 10 secondary schools compete in various sporting events including football, table tennis, scrabble, basketball and chess.
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‎Drawing a curtain on the tournament, the Customs Area Controller of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, said the various events competed for by the young lads showcased talent, teamwork and character building.
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‎Beyond classroom experience, the students were given an opportunity to imbibe the art of sportsmanship, personal development and other innate potentials.
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‎Ntadi who noted that the sports arena was established through the vision and commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose passion for youth empowerment inspired the initiative said:

‎“This arena reflects the belief that investing in young people goes beyond academics. It is about nurturing character, promoting sportsmanship and creating opportunities for children to discover and develop their talents” .
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‎The Customs Area Controller commended teachers, parents, officials and organisers for their support throughout the competition, noting that their diligent inputs led to a successful 5-day tournament.

The overall medals winner Moses Chibuike from Topfield College.

‎He hoped that future editions of the championship would attract more schools, more sporting events and more opportunities for young athletes.
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‎As the competition came to a close, Topfield Secondary School swept the medals table with 107 points to emerge overall winner. Gaskiya College finished second with 43 points, while Pathfinders Path Joe School secured third position with 35 points.
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‎Dorcas Memorial College placed fourth with 28 points, followed by El-Leanora College with 26 points. Rock Foundation College earned 18 points, GIF College recorded 15 points, Hope Springs College finished with 13 points, Cardoso College secured 10 points, while Caro Favoured College ended the tournament with nine points. Moses Chibuike of Topfield College became the overall medals winner in the personal category.
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‎That every competitor won at least one medal during the competition, Ntadi stated, shows the students participated in games and tournaments that were inclusive.
‎He congratulated all 380 students for their performances and praised spectators for attending massively to cheer them up.
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‎Speaking through his representative, Deputy Comptroller Thomas Jonah, the Acting Controller, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun commended the Western Marine Command for providing a platform that positively engages young people.
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‎He urged the students to remain focused and disciplined, stressing that dedication, perseverance and hard work remain essential ingredients for success in sports and life.
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‎In his submission, Onasanya Agbolabo, the techical director of the event said the championship featured 10 sporting events involving eight private schools and two public schools.
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‎He highlighted the impressive performances of several athletes, including Sandra Abutu in table tennis, Anita Akinbami and Zodij Blessing, noting that Sandra Abutu also distinguished herself during the football final. He commended the Western Marine Command for erecting such an impressive sporting arena for the good of not just the Command but for the populace.

Agbolabo Onasanya, Technical Director (left) and Jenmi Richard, Sports Coordinator (right).

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‎In his remarks, the Baale of Ebute-Ibafon, Chief Kayode Hassan, who represented the Oba of Iwa Kingdom, Oba Maroof Oluwa, described the championship as one of the most impactful youth-focused programmes hosted in the community.
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‎He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Nigeria Customs Service for bringing the competition to the area, noting that it not only engaged young people positively but also demonstrated the capacity of local communities to host quality sporting events.

‎The 2026 edition of the WASA competition ended with medal presentations, celebrations and renewed calls for sustained investment in youth and grassroots sports development.
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