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How I was shot and left for dead by Customs officer—-Quadri Adeyemi —-a gory account of the Mile 2 shooting incident by roving FOU officer

Exclusive by Eyewitness Reporter

”My name is Quadri Adeyemi but widely known as Wale Balogun. I was coming from Tin Can port with Toyota RAV4 2019 model when the roving FOU team stopped me at Berger Yard. One of the officers approached me and asked me to wind down the window of the car.
When I wound down, he asked for the document of the car which I gave to him. Thereafter, without any provocation, he brought out a jackknife and wanted to stab me but I dodged.

”He then used the barrel of his gun to hit me and shouted “get down, I say you should get down, give me the key”.
I opened the door and as I was stepping down from the car, he shot me in the leg and I fell down.

”Now writhing in pain on the ground, I groaned ” Oga, you shot me” and he answered “yes, I wanted to kill you”
As I was trying to crawl away from him, my boss called me to inquired about my whereabouts but while still in pain, I managed to tell him that a FOU officer has shot me.

”When the officer heard that I was receiving a call, he snatched the phone from me and put it in his pocket.

”I was left in the pool of my blood with other officers who are the colleagues of the one who shot me watching me groaning in pain. He even said he would put me inside their van and give me water so I can die.
It was at this point the people who have already gathered at the scene tried to rescue and help me.

”I was trying to crawl away from them when he picked me up and threw me inside the nearby gutter.

”It was at that point a police patrol team was passing, saw what was happening, and stopped to make inquiries.
When they heard what happened, they decided to carry me away from the scene to help me.

”But the officer who shot me was trying to stop them, telling them he wanted to take me away. But those ones prevailed on him and appealed to him, saying.” let him go, let him go”.
At that point, I managed to crawl to the other side of the road and took the bike to the hospital.

”Before I was allowed to go, the officer who shot me barked at me that I should tell him how to start the car or else he would shoot me on my second leg. I had to tell him to step on the brake before he can start the engine.

”All this while, I was in serious pain and losing a lot of blood.
Before I managed to crawl away from them and thereafter, my wife called me. This time, he has collected my phone, so he picked the call and told my wife ” Your husband is dead, come and pick his corpse at Ikeja”

Is it true the Customs paid your hospital bills?

”When I was in the hospital, DPO Trinity Police Station came to meet me and told me that the Comptroller FOU asked him to check on me and to give me the sum of N100,000.
I told the DPO to help me retrieve my phone from the Customs but he told me I should not worry that I will get my phone back.

”The following day, OC Roving, FOU, Mr. Jack, sent me another N100,000 again, making N200,000.

”When I inquired my phone from the person who went to collect the second tranche of N100,000, he said the OC Roving wanted to see me in his office at FOU, Ikeja.
That was when my Chairman at PTML said we would all go there after my discharge from the hospital”.

”When I was there, it was on a Monday, I asked for my phone but was told they will not release it to me as it would be one of the exhibits.
So I did not go there to beg the Customs as I later heard that the Customs was saying I was in their office to beg”

”I went there to get my phone and in deference to the wishes of our leaders.
Let me add that at a point when I was in the hospital, one of our leaders, the ANLCA Vice President, Kayode Farinto, had to take me away from the hospital out of the reach of the Customs who wanted to take me away because they said they didn’t want me to talk to the press”

But for my security and safety, I was taken away by my leader.
Even Mr. Jack made reference to that fact when I was there. He said the Customs wanted to take me to another hospital because they did not think I was being given adequate treatment, that they were ready to pay my hospital bills”

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NIMASA pledges to priotise safety of dockworkers

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) today declared that the safety of dockworkers in their workplace is a right and not a privilege, and urged employers of labor to renew their commitment to improved workplace safety for the Nigerian dockworker.

The Agency’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who made the declaration in Lagos during the 2024 Day of the Dockworker commemoration event, stated that efficiency in the workplace can only be guaranteed when the safety of dockworkers is assured.

Mobereola, whose address was delivered by the Agency’s Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba, assured stakeholders that under his leadership, the Agency will endeavor to create an environment that enables maritime labor to function according to international best practices.

In his words “NIMASA is committed to supporting you with the tools, resources, and training necessary to enhance efficiency.

“By working smarter, we not only boost our productivity but also ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of our maritime industry on the global stage.

Mr. Abba also announced the launch of the Reviewed Minimum Standard for Dock Labour Industry booklet at the event, stating that, “It is very instructive that we have concluded, as part of the activities of this great day, to launch a document that encapsulates our commitment as an Agency to ensuring that Nigerian dockworkers are treated fairly by the terminal operators and stevedoring companies.”

He added that, “This document codifies the implementation of approved conditions of service and collective bargaining agreements on minimum standards.”

The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, used the occasion to advocate for employers at the port terminals to provide insurance policies for dockworkers and their families.

MWUN also called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to focus on regulating and compelling terminal operators to ensure that the health and welfare of dockworkers are prioritized.

Adeyanju noted that the inherent risks associated with cargo handling and their unique operations must be considered in line with their well-being.

In his words “As a union, we strongly urge the terminal operators to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of dockworkers by providing adequate Personal Protective Equipment.

” We further advocate for employers to provide group life insurance coverage to all dockworkers, recognizing the inherent risks associated with cargo handling and their unique operations”.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, noted that the dock labour industry is a force to be reckoned with.

In his paper presentation, delivered by the General Manager of Marine and Operations, NPA, Dr. Charles Okaga, Dantsoho called on other government agencies to support dockworkers in capacity building for effective port terminal operations.

In her address, Chairperson of the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, described dockworkers as unsung heroes but commended NIMASA for recognizing their contributions.

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Exclusive: The real reason why Effedua resigned as Rector, MAN, Oron

Funso Olojo

On November 13th, 2024, Commodore(rtd) Duja Effedua, tendered his letter of resignation as the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN), Oron, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in a dramatic way that left maritime stakeholders dumbfounded.

They were shocked at Effedua’ s sudden resignation because of several reasons.

Firstly, Effedua still has over one year in his 8 – year tenure .

He was first appointed by the former President Mohammad Buhari in 2017 and subsequently reappointed for a second term in office in September, 2021.

Also, Effedua had run an impactful and effective administration as he repositioned the Nigeria’s apex maritime training institution which he patterned along the international maritime organization(IMO) model for maritime training institutions.

He has also cleaned the institution of its age- long rot, boosted the morale of staff through impressive welfare packages and thrust the institution into the global recognition.

More intriguing was the fact that Effedua was then just appointed by the Minister as a member of the high- powered ministerial committee to drive Nigeria’s reelection bid for the IMO category C seat.

Why then will a government appointee, despite his high performance and efficient service, resign when he still has over a year to complete his tenure, a decision alien to the culture of sit- tight syndrome of government appointees who dig in their feet even against overwhelming allegations of incompetence.

However, our reporter has stumbled on the real reason why the high- performing Rector signed.

Even though, the retired Commodore attributed his sudden decision to “personal reasons” but sources close to the former Rector whispered to our reporter that Effedua resigned because of his opposition to the controversial Nigeria Coast guard bill currently before the National Assembly.

It was alleged that the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is hell- bent to have the bill sail through the national Assembly.

Even though, it could not be independently confirmed yet why the ministry has such high interest in the passage of the bill( other than the proposed body will domicile under it), despite the overwhelming opposition of the maritime stakeholders, it was however gathered that the Ministry instructed all the heads of the agencies in the industry, to support and buy-in to the ministry’s crusade of getting the bill scale through the national Assembly.

It was gathered that prior to the Public hearing of the bill at the National Assembly which held on December 9th, 2024, the ministry has convened a meeting in November with all the heads of the maritime agencies which include the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA), National Inland Waterways Authority( NIWA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN), Oron.

At the meeting, the heads of these agencies had allegedly been mandated to support the passage of the bill.

It was further learnt that though most of these heads of the agencies have their reservations against the bill because of its potential to create bad blood among other agencies such as NIWA and NIMASA and create over lapping functions with the Nigerian Navy, but they lacked the will power to voice their opposition for fear of reprisal action from the ministry.

It was further alleged that NIMASA was particularly uneasy with the bill as it is being speculated that the agency may fund the NCG if the bill eventually trasmutes into an Act.

So all of the heads of these agencies alleged swallowed their opposition and grudgingly accepted to support the crusade.

However, sources close to the meeting claimed that it was only Duja Effedua, who allegedly voiced our his opposition to the bill, giving his reasons why the proposed legislation may not be in the best interest of the Nation.

As a Naval officer, though retired, he explained the implications of having another body in the maritime space which may spark off unhealthy rivalry with the Nigerian Navy.

Knowing the consequences of his act of bravery, the ex- Naval officer was said to have later tendered his letter of resignation to the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Though he said his decision was personal, but Effedua alluded to what may befall him if he fails to throw in the towel.

” It is best to leave when the ovation is loudest, not when they ask you to leave” he has told reporters who were pestering him for his reasond shortly after his resignation.

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Opposition mounts against Nigeria Coast guard bill

— as Navy, lawmakers, maritime lawyers shoot down the bill.

Funso OLOJO

Concerned maritime experts and other stakeholders have mounted a groundswell of opposition against the Nigeria Coast guard bill currently before the National Assembly.

The bill seeks to establish a military service which is a branch of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to ensure maritime safety and which will domicile under the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

At the public hearing held at the Library of the National Assembly complex on December 7th, 2024, the introduction of the bill met stiff opposition from majority of speakers at the event.

Despite the attempt of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to deodorize the bill, stakeholders picked holes in the proposed legislation.

In his presentation, Oyetola acknowledged the roles of the Nigerian Navy in safeguarding the Nigerian waters but believed that the establishment of the Nigeria Coast guard will complement these roles.

“The state of boat accidents on Nigerian inland waterways is also a justification for the need to strengthen our maritime safety and enforcement of our maritime laws and regulations in inland waterways” the minister submitted.

But majority of the speakers at the public hearing disagreed with the minister.

The Chief of Naval staff represented by Olusegun Ferreira, said the proposed creation of Nigeria coast guard will lead to duplication of functions on the Navy.

According to the Chief of Naval staff, Nigeria is currently enmeshed in a challenge of myriad of overlapping and duplication of functions of government agencies and the establishment of Nigeria coast guard will only compound the problem.

Adams Oshiomole, a Senator representing Edo North, asked what the proposed body will do differently from what Navy is presently doing.

Philip Agbese, a member of the house of representatives retorted” the bill on coast guard should return to where it has come from”

Emeka Akabogu, a maritime lawyer, gave the position of the Nigeria Maritime Bar Association on the bill.

According to him, the bill is not in the best interest of the country.

Stakeholders were unanimous in their submissions that creating Nigeria Coast guard negates the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce the costs of governance in the country.

However, the Chairman, Senate committee on Marine and Transport, Wasiu Eshilokun , who is also the sponsor of the bill, said the public hearing was held to eliminate over lapping functions in the bill.

However, sources claimed that the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is pushing hard to ensure the bill scales through despite the overwhelming opposition from the industry stakeholders.

It was learnt that the Ministry’s position, which was described as selfish, was predicated on the fact the the proposed Coast guard will be domiciled in the ministry while it may be funded by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA).