Headlines

NPA, APM Terminal avert fire disaster at Lagos port

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) joined forces with the APM Terminals this weekend to avert what could have been a major fire outbreak that could have gutted a crane belonging to the terminal operator at Lagos port complex, Apapa.

The APMT, operator of the terminal, said there were no injuries or fatalities as a result of the fire.

It also said that the incident did not disrupt operations at the port.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the NPA Management and NPA Fire Service for their prompt assistance in managing the situation.

“We are pleased to confirm that all personnel are safe, with no injuries or fatalities reported.

“The safety of our employees, partners, and the surrounding community is our top priority, and we are proud that our stringent safety measures played a critical role in preventing any harm.

Operations at the terminal have not been disrupted, and we continue to operate as usual,” APM Terminals said in a statement.

It said a thorough investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire.

“We appreciate the support and understanding of our stakeholders during this time and remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence,” it added.

Headlines

Tantita empowers NSCDC with modern tools for enhanced performance, operational efficiency

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Tantita security company has empowered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with modern equipment and operational vehicles to enhance its performance.

This follows the donation of a modern command control centre and Hilux vehicles to the security outfit which were unveiled in Abuja on Thursday, February 26th, 2026.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Managing Director, Tantita, Kestin Ebimorbowei, said the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s reform agenda aimed at strengthening economic performance and national stability.

He described the initiative as a demonstration of the company’s commitment to national development.

Ebimorbowei, who was represented by the company’s Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh,said although the centre is located in Abuja, its operational reach will cover the entire country.

Enisuoh noted that the facility is equipped with advanced monitoring systems to enhance air, land, and real-time incident surveillance.

He described the 24-hour centre as a major step toward deeper technological integration within the corps, adding that it would support the NSCDC and other security agencies in fulfilling their constitutional mandates.

Capt. Enisuoh commended NSCDC personnel for protecting Tantita operatives, noting that private security guards are not legally permitted to bear arms.

He also revealed that 15 Officers lost their lives while working with the company and pledged continued support for the families of fallen personnel.

“We rate this partnership ten over ten,” he said, citing the sacrifices of uniformed Officers.

In his remarks, NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Audi, thanked Tantita for the fully furnished facility and two Hilux operational vehicles.

He announced that the structure has been named the “Nuhu Ribadu Hydrocarbon and Maritime Security Command and Control Centre.”

Audi said the centre would be integrated with the Office of the National Security Adviser to strengthen coordination among security agencies.

According to him, it will enhance intelligence gathering, information sharing, and inter-agency collaboration, particularly in hydrocarbon and maritime security.

He stressed that structured data management and credible intelligence dissemination are critical to national development and expressed confidence that the new facility would significantly boost the corps’ operational capacity.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Zuma Energy Power Ltd, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, announced the donation of an additional building for VIP protection services.

Represented by Nwoko Alex, he said the facility would improve standards in safeguarding high-profile individuals while contributing to national security.

He described the initiative as a global-standard addition to Nigeria’s security architecture and expressed confidence that it would strengthen investor confidence and economic growth.

Headlines

Lagos retirees kick over delay in pension increase, mull protest action

Gloria Odion, Reporter

The chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, contributory Pension scheme, (NUPCPS) Lagos State Council, Comrade Michael Omisande has appealed to the Director General, Lagos State Pension Commission, (LASPEC), Babalola Obilana, to be proactive on the issue of Pension increases for CPS Pensioners in Lagos State.

He said it is over two months the template for pension increases had been submitted and hinted of a looming protest by Retirees in Lagos State, If LASPEC keeps foot dragging on the pension increases.

He made this submission on Friday, February 27th, 2026 while addressing the Pensioners at the Open Congress day celebration in Oshodi, Lagos.

Comrade Omisande said Governor Sanwoolu and DG LASPEC had promised at different fora to adopt the Federal Governments template to pay pension increases for Lagos State Retirees, adding that Federal Retirees had been enjoying the pension increases since November, 2025.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Lagos State, Comrade Agnes Sessie, has vowed to take up the battle for the implementation of Pension increases for Retirees under the contributory Pension scheme (CPS) in the State.

While speaking at Oshodi Open Congress Day, Comrade Sessi said the CPS Pensioners deserve to get the pension increases like their federal counterparts, adding that a political solution would also be adopted.

She said the Labour Movement would use the election year to renegotiate for another minimum wage for Lagos State Workers and also canvass for pension increase implementation for CPS Pensioners.

Comrade Sessie commended the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu in the running of affairs of the State.

The open congress day is in commemoration of the birth of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, contributory Pension scheme, NUPCPS, in Nigeria on 27 February, 2017.

The theme of this year’s celebration is Freedom of Association, a fundamental human right in Nigeria.

Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor

The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious

trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.

According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.

Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.

The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.

Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.

“For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.

He said the feat was a reflection of

the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.

Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.

He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.

These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.

Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.

The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very credible information shared by the CGC.

In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.

Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.