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NIMASA, Police forge strategic alliance to curb maritime crime, enhance security at ports 

Funso OLOJO 
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has agreed to form a strategic alliance with the Nigeria Police in a bid to curb maritime crimes and enhance security at the port.
The collaboration was consumated during the courtesy visit of a high powered delegation of Maritime Police led by Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Maritime, AIG Chinedu Oko and the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Toyin Agbaminoja, to the Director -General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola,in his office on 17th November, 2025.
The visit formed part of ongoing collaborative engagements aimed at strengthening maritime security architecture, enhancing port efficiency, and improving inter-agency cooperation within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In his remarks, AIG Chinedu Oko emphasized the strategic importance of a unified security framework in safeguarding Nigeria’s coastal waters, port facilities, and critical maritime assets.
He commended NIMASA for its continuous efforts in maritime safety regulation, capacity development, and the Deep Blue Project, noting that sustainable cooperation between law enforcement and maritime regulators remains essential for safe and efficient maritime operations.
CP Toyin Agbaminoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command to providing robust security support across the nation’s port corridors including Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, and the Command’s marine unit responsible for patrols up to 12 nautical miles from the ports.
She expressed readiness to deepen operational synergy with NIMASA to curb maritime crimes, facilitate trade, and guarantee the security of vessels, cargo, and port users.
The Director General of NIMASA welcomed the delegation and highlighted the Agency’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force in the areas of intelligence sharing, joint operations, capacity building, and maritime domain awareness.
He stressed that efficient maritime security is fundamental to Nigeria’s economic stability, port competitiveness, and global reputation.
The visit concluded with both parties agreeing on the need for continuous engagement, operational synchronization, and strategic partnerships to bolster national maritime security and enhance service delivery across the maritime sector.
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Headlines

The burden of refloating Nigeria’s national carrier

Ibrahim Nasiru

The Monday Discourse with Ibrahim Nasiru focuses on the attempts of Nigerian government to refloat the new national carrier that will replace the sunken Nigeria National Shipping Line(NNSL) and the heavy burden of paying the severance package of the retired seafarers who worked on the beleaguered shipping line almost 30 years after it was liquidated.

How can we float a new carrier when the foundation is still underwater?

This Monday, I am breaking down a heavy debt of honour hanging over Nigeria’s blue economy.

The government wants to launch a new national shipping line to stop bleeding $10 billion annually to foreign vessels.

The economic logic makes sense, but the foundation is completely broken.

Almost 30 years after the NNSL was liquidated, thousands of retirees are still waiting for their final severance pay.

Many have died in poverty waiting for bank alerts that never came.

Treating our pioneers like garbage sends a terrifying message to the next generation of cadets.

We need reconciliation before we talk about refloating.

Look out for the full piece tomorrow morning: “The Debt of Honour: No Progress Without Peace.”

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Customs

Comptroller Anani  vows not to compromise on compliance with Customs extant laws, warns defaulters of dire consequences 

— seeks support of stakeholders 
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The new Customs Area Controller of the  Tin can Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, has hit the ground running after few days of assuming duties at the command.
To show his determination to sustaining  the tempo of operational success at the command, Comptroller Anani has warned the trading public plying their trade at the command of dire consequences for flouting any of the operational guidelines as spelt out in the Customs Act of 2023.
He also pledged to enhance trade facilitation, build robust synergy and collaboration with sister agencies and sustain the cordial relationship with stakeholders through constant engagement and collaboration.
The ensure successful tenure at the command, the Comptroller Anani engaged in a series of engagement with his officers at various formations, the terminal operators, freight forwarders, and other sister agencies where he sought for their collaboration and support.
He flagged off the engagement with a tour of Customs formations and terminals within the Command to obtain first-hand knowledge of available facilities, assess officers’ working conditions, and evaluate the overall operational environment.
The tour was aimed at improving workplace standards and ensuring that officers are adequately positioned to deliver on the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Following this, the Comptroller convened a strategic meeting with major freight forwarding associations, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), APFLON, and other industry players.
During the engagement, he emphasized the importance of compliance, professionalism, and partnership in achieving seamless trade operations.
Comptroller Anani outlined a blueprint anchored on total compliance with all Customs procedures and extant laws, particularly the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
He called for higher standards in all port transactions and warned against any form of indiscipline, misconduct, or practices capable of undermining the integrity of the Service.
“We are setting a new tone anchored on compliance, collaboration, and service excellence. Every stakeholder has a role to play in making Tin can Island Port a model of trade facilitation and operational efficiency.” he said.
The Comptroller also hosted key stakeholders, including terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, and captains of industry, at a roundtable meeting designed to chart a progressive course for the Command.
He assured stakeholders of an open-door policy and pledged to create a conducive environment that supports legitimate trade and economic growth.
He further urged terminal operators to improve infrastructure within their facilities and create additional operational spaces capable of attracting more vessel traffic, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and efficiency at the port.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration in achieving national security objectives, Comptroller Anani paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western Command), CP Toyin Agbaminoja.
During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on issues relating to national security, port operations, and the safety of lives and property.
The Commissioner of Police pledged the continued support of the Nigeria Police Force through intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.
In a similar move to reinforce the fight against illicit trade and transnational crimes, Comptroller Anani visited the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Solomon Omotosho.
During the visit, both agencies discussed strategies for sustained synergy in combating drug trafficking and the activities of drug peddlers operating within and around the port environment.
 They emphasized the need for intelligence-driven operations, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement actions to prevent the movement of illicit narcotics through the nation’s gateways.
Comptroller Anani expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him through his appointment as the Customs Area Controller of the nation’s premier port command.
 He pledged to justify the trust by consolidating on existing achievements while advancing the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Controller noted that the Command will continue to draw from the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, anchored on Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, as guiding principles for enhancing trade facilitation, revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and national security.
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Headlines

Rolling Gazing Terminal excites NAGAFF, says it meets standard for bonded facilities

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders has commended Rolling Gazing Bonded Terminal for its operational standards, saying the facility can improve cargo efficiency and reduce port congestion.

NAGAFF’s Trade Advocacy Committee gave the commendation Thursday during a nationwide inspection of licensed bonded terminals. NAGAFF Founder Dr. Boniface Aniebonam led the delegation.

Aniebonam praised the terminal’s automation, cargo handling infrastructure and security systems. He said the facility reflects the standard required to strengthen trade facilitation and address logistical challenges.

“The infrastructure is available, the equipment is functional, and the operators are fully prepared for business,” he stated.

Committee Head Dr. Increase Uche said the terminal is adequately equipped and shows strong commitment to service delivery. He added that the facility can evolve into a major logistics hub due to location and expansion space.

Operational Manager Stanley Enoma said the terminal runs TOS and EDI platforms and is expanding capacity to 5,000 TEUs.

NAGAFF said the assessment will continue at other bonded terminals to identify gaps and promote efficiency.

NAGAFF has commended Rolling Gazing Bonded Terminal for meeting operational standards expected of Customs bonded facilities. The commendation followed an inspection by NAGAFF’s Trade Advocacy Committee on Thursday as part of a nationwide assessment of bonded terminals.

NAGAFF Founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam praised the terminal’s automation, cargo handling equipment, security systems and operational preparedness, saying it can improve cargo movement and reduce seaport congestion.

Committee Head Dr. Increase Uche said the facility is adequately equipped and has potential to become a major logistics hub due to location and expansion capacity. Operational Manager Stanley Enoma disclosed the terminal operates TOS and EDI platforms and is expanding to 5,000 TEUs capacity. NAGAFF said it will compile a report and continue inspections nationwide to identify operational gaps and promote trade facilitation in the maritime sector.

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