The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command has advised all ports stakeholders to comply with documentation and clearance requirements before commencing discharge or cargo-handling activities.
The advice was given while clarifying circumstances surrounding its enforcement action on the vessel, MT NY Maria, over alleged unauthorised discharge of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at the MRS Terminal, popularly known as Dantata Jetty, Tin Can Island Port.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Oscar Ivara, the Service dismissed what it described as misleading narratives circulating around the incident, insisting that officers acted strictly within the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
According to the statement, officers of the Boarding and Rummaging Unit boarded the vessel on Saturday, May 23, 2026, immediately after its arrival from the Dangote Refinery, to carry out routine documentation and compliance checks in line with statutory procedures.
The Command disclosed that during the inspection, the vessel was discovered to have incomplete documentation, particularly the absence of the mandatory Last Port Clearance from the port of origin.
“During the exercise, officers found the vessel lacked complete documentation, including the mandatory Last Port Clearance from the port of origin,” the statement read.
He explained that the vessel’s agent was given two days to provide the document, while the vessel was lawfully sealed and placed under Customs control.
“On Wednesday, 27 May 2026, the Command received intelligence that discharge operations had begun without clearance and while the vessel remained under seal.
“Officers who responded met resistance from terminal security but gained lawful access, halted the discharge, and directed the ship master to report to the Enforcement Unit for statements. The vessel was resealed afterward,” he said.
The Service clarified that the ship master was not arrested but invited for statements as part of ongoing investigations.
The Command therefore advised the public to rely on verified official information to avoid spreading misleading narratives that could undermine regulatory enforcement.
The Command said the operation was carried out under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023:particularly Sections 30–35, 46–58, and 212, 222, 223, 225, and 226, which empower officers to board vessels, conduct inspections, enforce compliance, and take necessary actions within Customs Control Zones such as international seaports.
The Command described the discharge of PMS without clearance and under seal as a clear violation of the Act, which could attract sanctions including seizure, forfeiture, and penalties.
Investigations into the incident and the obstruction encountered by officers are ongoing.
The Command stressed that no vessel, terminal operator, shipping company, or individual is above the law.
The Nigerian Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while enforcing fiscal, trade, and security regulations.
