Headlines
ENL vessel incident: A bellow of smoke or outbreak of fire?
Funso OLOJO
On Saturday, June 21st, 2025, a cargo vessel christened CHANG MIN, anchored and discharging at the ENL terminal, Apapa, was involved in an incident which has been differently described as a “fire incident” and “emissions of smoke”
The vessel was laden with a variety of cargo which includes CNG trucks, wooden products, tyres and other highly combustible products.
While one account said part of the vessel was gutted by fire before it was eventually put out, another report said what happened was a mere ” emission of smoke”.
There are three parties to the account of the incident.
Both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) agreed that what happened was a fire outbreak.
On the other hand, the ENL, the owner and the operator of the terminal, debunked the claim of fire outbreak instead, it said it was ” an emission of smoke from one of the hatches of the ship”.
Here is the NPA account of the incident
” In response to an alarm received by the Marine Division of the Nigerian Ports Authority from a vessel at about 15:00 hours today, Friday, June 20th, 2025, the NPA emergency preparedness mechanism was immediately activated to avert what would have resulted in huge investment losses when a fire outbreak was reported aboard a vessel berthed at one of the terminals in the Apapa Port Complex.
“The NPA Fire Service Department immediately deployed it’s state-of-the-art fire fighting equipment in concert with the NPA Tugboats whose fire-fighting capability helped to combat the fire from the seaside whilst the NPA firefighters with the collaboration of the Terminal’s fire team, Dangote Fire Team and the Lagos State Fire Service Team contained it from the land side.
“The Authority wishes to appreciate the Dangote Group Fire Team and the Lagos State Fire Service for their collaborative support.
“The Authority wishes to assure all stakeholders that the situation is now under control and reiterate its relentless commitment to promoting the culture of safety and continuous improvement in emergency preparedness” declared the NPA in its official statement.
The LASEMA, giving the account of the same incident said
“Following distress alerts at 1755hrs, the Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA), activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from the Cobra Base in Onipanu.
“Upon arrival at the scene, a cargo ship, CHANG MIN, laden with cargo which included CNG trucks, wooden products, tyres and other highly combustible products, was observed to have caught fire within section two of the cargo hold.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by Emergency responders at the scene revealed that the fire was observed at the point of unloading and the cause is yet to be ascertained at time of report.
“No life was lost and no injuries were sustained to anyone as all seafarers on board have been accounted for.
“The Cobra response team alongside all other responders at the scene undertook the following actions: Debrief from the Crew on board to give more information to Emergency Response Teams as to the instruction that the compartment be totally shut to eliminate oxygen supply, while initial dampening down was being conducted;
“A fire response plan was agreed upon by Emergency Responders on a method to combat the inferno in the safest possible way to eliminate secondary incidents and also ensure the safety of all fire fighters; Reopening of the cargo hold to enable fire teams engage the inferno; Location of fire and the ship floor plan” declared the Lagos state fire fighters which corroborated the NPA’s account.
But in a swift reaction, the ENL Consortium debunked the two similar accounts.
In its rebutal statement, the terminal operator said the incident was ” an emission of smoke” and not fire outbreak.
“There was absolutely no naked fire on the ship,”
“What occurred was emission of smoke from one of the hatches of the ship, a situation which was swiftly identified and effectively curtailed without escalation.
“The smoke was quickly traced, and our emergency response team acted immediately in line with established safety protocols.
“The situation was promptly brought under control.
“The quick and professional handling of the incident highlights the company’s strong safety culture and the effectiveness of its rapid response systems” the ENL management declared.
From the account of the incident from the three parties which witnessed the scenerio, the NPA ‘s account agreed with that of the LASEMA while the ENL, for a curious reason, deferred.
Analysts believed that the NPA would not have received a distress call from the terminal if the incident was a ” mere emission of smoke” which the fire fighters of the ENL should have been able to control .
They also declared that if it was a mere ” emission of smoke” there wouldn’t have been any need for the NPA to call for a reinforcement from LASEMA and Dangote fire fighters.
It was also agreed that a mere ” emission of smoke” would not have involved the elaborate efforts from the combined team of NPA, LASEMA and Dangote fire fighters to put it off.
Curiously, the account of the ENL on the incident was silent on the yeoman’ s job of the NPA, LASEMA and Dangote fire fighters.
Instead, the ENL only gave credit to the professional expertise of its fire fighters who swiftly put off the “smoke”
“The smoke was quickly traced, and our emergency response team acted immediately in line with established safety protocols” the terminal operator said.
With the muddled account of the incident by the ENL, watchers of the event queried the motive of the terminal operator and its attempt to cover up what was clearly a fire incident that was curtailed by the combined team of NPA ,LASEMA and Dangote fire fighters.
An amused respondent asked rhetorically” what is the ENL hiding?
Analyses
The invisible toll gates:Why National Single Window is Nigeria’s ultimate economic battleground
Headlines
NANTA Exco embarks on seven-day Ghana retreat, fam trip to deepen regional tourism partnership
Gloria Odion, Reporter
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced a seven-day executive retreat and familiarisation (fam) trip to Ghana, hosted by Safari World, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships and expand cross-border travel opportunities.
The NANTA delegation was received at Safari World Homes in Accra by the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, who expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel trade leaders.
He assured the delegation of a memorable experience throughout their week-long stay.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the retreat and familiarisation tour as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering stronger business relationships and promoting collaborative tourism development across Africa.
“This mission is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders.”
He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and commercial ties that should be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.
“Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he said.
“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos.”
As part of the programme, the NANTA executives will engage in strategic business-to-business (B2B) meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, tour key tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange activities designed to promote stronger bilateral tourism cooperation.
The itinerary spans Safari World’s three flagship destinations, including Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.
Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a premier destination for leisure tourism, conferences, group travel, family holidays and premium tourism experiences.
A major highlight of the visit will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, where key stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana’s tourism industries will deliberate on strategies for deepening travel trade and advancing regional tourism development.
The familiarisation tour is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Safari World’s tourism offerings, paving the way for the development of attractive travel packages and stronger business partnerships that will benefit Nigerian travellers and the wider West African tourism industry.
Customs
Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Headlines3 months agoJolapamo retrieves Ikoyi home, N473.347m from ex- wife, as court awards N5m damages against estranged wife
- Customs2 months ago
Nigeria’s business community lauds Customs performance in Q1 2026, seeks improvement in service delivery
- Analyses2 months ago
MONDAY DISCOURSE WITH NASIRU
- Economy3 months ago
News Alert! Tinubu sacks Wale Edun as Finance Minister in cabinet reshuffle, appoints Taiwo Oyedele as replacement
- Analyses2 months ago
THE IBOM DEEP SEAPORT: Nigeria’s ultimate counterweight in West African maritime race
- Headlines2 months ago
Sallah celebration: Osun govt offers free train ride to indigenes as NRC increases Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips for Sallah
