Headlines

ill-fated boat in Niger state on illegal operation—- NIWA

Bola Oyebamiji, NIWA MD

— deploys more river marshalls on 24-hour surveillance as rescue efforts continue

Funso OLOJO

More bodies are being recovered from the Gbajibo River, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State after a wooden boat carrying 300 passengers capsized on Tuesday night of October 1st, 2024.

As of yesterday, the water marshalls of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) with the collaboration of the Nigeria state’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local divers have recovered 70 bodies, rescued 150 persons while the search for remaining missing passengers was still ongoing.

However, Mrs. Sarat Braimah, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA has accused the operators of the ill-fated boat of illegal operations as they sailed at 8: 30 pm which was against the water transportation code which has outlawed night sailing.

Mrs. Braimah, who absolved NIWA of complicity in the tragic incident following a public outrage over what was described as the negligence of the Authority, disclosed that the four water marshalls deployed to the Gbajibo River where the incident occurred had already closed from duty for the day and left the jetty at 8 pm while the boat loaded at 8: 30 pm.

The NIWA Area Manager however said the Marshalls went to the other side of the jetty while the ill-fated boat was loading without their knowledge.

Meanwhile, NIWA has attributed the unfortunate incident to flagrant disregard for transportation code by the boat operators such as overloading( the wooden boat carried 300 passengers), use of sub- standard boat which is a wooden carved boat without necessary navigational aids, lack of wearing of safety vests and night sailing which has been banned.

As a result of this incident, Mrs. Braimah disclosed that more water marshalls will be deployed to Niger state and other northern states where night sailing is prevalent for 24-hour surveillance.

“NIWA just constituted river marshalls who were posted to every state and Niger state in particular has 24 water marshalls while in Mokwa Local government Area where the incident happened, they have four Marshalls.” the NIWA Area Manager disclosed.

She lamented the prevalence of night sailing in the North despite its ban which she said was a major challenge for NIWA.

” NIWA will now make it 24-hour surveillance on waterways in that area in order to prevent reoccurrence” stated Mrs Braimah.

According to her, the recently gazetted transportation code launched by NIWA and cascaded to every state contains penalties for infractions of safety standards.

” Last month, NIWA was everywhere on sensitization of the revering public on this code. But, unfortunately, this tragic incident happened.

” From now on, night sailing is our target. We are going to recruit more river marshalls who will be working on 24- 24-hour basis. This will hopefully deter people and boat operators from night sailing” Mrs Braimah said.

She revealed that all the local wooden boats used in the area are sub-standard and have no navigational aids to sustain night travel.

“NIWA has deployed a modern ferry to Niger state which will be put to use by next week.

Speaking further on the efforts of NIWA to arrest incessant boat mishaps in the North, Mrs. Braimah disclosed that the agency has established training centres in all the states of the Federation, especially in the Northern states where most of the boat operators lack formal education and required training to operate boats.

” At the end of such training which includes safe navigation and done in their local dialect, because most of them are illiterate, NIWA issues them certificates and we also monitor their operations”the NIWA

Areas Manager stated.

She further revealed that NIWA has a set of standards for boat building.

” We have gone to boat builders to license them and give them specifications on the type of boats they should build,” Mrs Braimah said.

In addition to all these safety measures, Braimah claimed that NIWA has a department that carries out surveys and inspections of boats for seaworthiness, an exercise carried out in January every year.

She also disclosed that the authority collaborates with other sister agencies to ensure the waterways are safe.

According to her, in Niger state where the latest boat mishap happened, NIWA has collaboration with the state’s NEMA while it has with Lagos State Waterways Authority( LASWA).

Gbajibo river in Mokwa Local government Area of Niger state is notorious for boat accidents.

It would be recalled that in September 2023, a similar tragic incident happened when a boat carrying 50 passengers capsized, killing 24 persons who were on their way to their farms for harvest.

Customs

Apapa Customs commences stricter crowd control measures to enhance security at command

Funso OLOJO, Editor

In response to the rising wave of insecurity across the country, the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded plans to tighten access control measures to ensure that only authorized persons gain entry into the command to conduct official business.

As part of the new security arrangement, all licensed clearing and forwarding agencies operating at the command have been directed to submit the names of three representatives through Customs Form C-30, who will be authorized to carry out daily transactions on behalf of their companies.

The NCS Form C-30 is an operational document that serves as proof of authorization for a licensed clearing and forwarding agent to operate within a designated Customs command. It is a mandatory requirement for cargo clearance and export processing at Nigerian ports.

The initiative comes amid heightened efforts by government agencies and private organizations to strengthen security protocols and protect personnel, facilities, and critical national assets from emerging threats.

Speaking exclusively with our correspondent, the Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the measure is aimed at reducing the number of visitors to the command and enhancing access control in response to growing security concerns nationwide.

According to him, the requirement for clearing and forwarding agencies to nominate representatives for Customs transactions is already provided for in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, although it has not been fully implemented.

He disclosed that the Apapa Command has decided to activate the provision in view of the prevailing security situation in the country.

“This is a standard procedure globally to enhance security at ports, which are critical to the world economy.

“In Nigeria, our ports are the arteries of the economy, and we cannot afford to expose them to the risk of attacks.

“We have to be proactive and not wait until an unfortunate incident occurs before taking action.

“America never expected the September 11 terrorist attacks.

“It is for these reasons that the management of the Service has decided that the enforcement of the crowd-control provisions contained in the Customs Act 2023 should commence at the Apapa Command, given its status as the largest and flagship Customs command in the country,” Oshoba stated.

The Customs Area Controller explained that restricting physical access to accredited company representatives would not only strengthen security but also improve operational efficiency and facilitate better monitoring of activities within the command.

He further disclosed that the policy, which is scheduled to take full effect next week, will significantly limit the movement of unauthorized persons within the command premises.

“The accredited representatives of all registered clearing and forwarding agencies will be issued official duty identification cards, which will grant them access to the command.

“Whenever there is a change in personnel, the concerned agency will notify the command so that the necessary adjustments and replacements can be updated in our system.

“Visitors, including journalists, will be required to register at the gate and will be issued visitor identification cards.

“This is a standard practice globally. I am aware that terminal operators such as Grimaldi at PTML and APM Terminals at Apapa Port already operate similar crowd-control mechanisms,” he noted.

The new access-control regime follows recent efforts by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to improve security, operational efficiency, and reduce the cost of doing business at the ports.

It could be recalled that between May 14th and 16th, 2026, PEBEC, led by its Director-General, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, coordinated a major enforcement operation along the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors in Lagos to dismantle illegal checkpoints and extortion points obstructing cargo movement.

The operation targeted notorious extortion locations, including Liverpool Bridge, the Terminal International Container Terminal (TICT) Second Gate, NAGAFF Junction, ETISALAT Roundabout, and Fidelity Roundabout.

Working in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Government, PEBEC sought to restore order and eliminate unauthorized checkpoints that had become a major impediment to trade facilitation.

The exercise resulted in the immediate removal of illegal structures and unauthorized personnel operating along the corridor, while authorities issued a stern warning against any attempt to re-establish the extortion checkpoints.

Customs

KLT Customs reaffirms commitment to stronger maritime stakeholder engagement

Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
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‎The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deepening engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry in line with efforts to promote trade facilitation, transparency, and sustainable economic growth.
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‎Adigun gave the assurance through the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration, Comptroller T.A. Jonah, who represented him during a courtesy visit by the newly elected Executive Committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to the Command in Lagos.
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‎The Acting CAC, who was unavoidably absent, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and key industry stakeholders, particularly the maritime media, in advancing the Service’s mandate and supporting national economic development.
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‎He described the media as a critical partner in disseminating information on government policies, customs reforms, trade facilitation initiatives, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations.
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‎According to him, maritime journalists occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding and perception of activities within the port and maritime sector, stressing the need for professionalism, accuracy, and balanced reportage in the discharge of their duties.
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‎Adigun further assured the MARAN delegation that the KLT Area Command would continue to operate an open-door policy while fostering cordial and productive relationships with stakeholders within the maritime community.
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‎Earlier in his remarks, the President of MARAN, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, stated that the visit formed part of the association’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiative following the inauguration of its newly elected executive committee.
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‎Onigbinde explained that the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the association to the Command and strengthen the longstanding relationship between MARAN and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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‎He commended the KLT Area Command for its contributions to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and enforcement activities, describing the Command as a vital component of Customs operations within Nigeria’s port system.
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‎The MARAN President also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional, objective, and development-driven journalism, noting that maritime reporters play a significant role in promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the industry.
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‎He further assured the Command of MARAN’s continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness within Nigeria’s maritime sector through responsible and factual reporting.

Headlines

One infant, three adults die, several others sustain injuries in fatal train derailment along Warri- Itakpe route

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of four passengers in a train derailment along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor near Agbor, Delta State on Monday, June 8th, 2026.

Several others suffered various degrees of injuries.

In a statement by the Ministry of Transportation and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, the victims included two female adults, one male adult and one infant.

The accident involved four coaches which reportedly capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives.

The statement confirmed that a total of 442 passengers were booked on the train, while 40 crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.

The NRC had activated immediate rescue and evacuation operations with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, security agencies, and other emergency responders, and were completed by 6:30 p.m on Monday .

The Injured passengers were evacuated to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.

Other notable individuals on board included the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah, among others.

As of the time of this release, 24 serious injuries have been recorded, while several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.

One NRC staff member suffered a traumatic limb injury and is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

“The Ministry and the NRC extend their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured.

“The Corporation also appreciates the swift intervention of the Delta State Government, emergency responders, security agencies, the NRC Mechanical Directorate, the Special Rescue and Emergency Team, medical personnel, and members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts” the statement declared.

The ministry said full onboard manifest has been retrieved and will be made available upon request by the relevant authorities while efforts are ongoing to identify all the injured and deceased persons for proper documentation.

The Ministry in conjunction with the NRC have commenced a full investigation into the cause of the accident while efforts will continue to account for all passengers and provide the necessary support to those affected.