By Sandra Chukwunyere
The 100 percent Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned the Maritime Police Headquarters over the alleged theft and criminal conversion of three shipping containers by Ekko Premier Container and Allied Services, Okota. The association is calling for the immediate prosecution of the terminal management for ignoring multiple directives from both the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Maritime Police.
In a formal complaint addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Police Headquarters, NAGAFF alleged that the containers, with identification numbers FFAU 2082021, CAIU 7022981, and MSDU 7666283, were rightfully allocated to Elevate Moore Ventures through the Customs auction process. Despite this, the terminal management reportedly refused to release them, questioning the authority of the police and Customs.
The petition, signed by Hon. Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator of NAGAFF 100 percent Compliance Team, stated that the Maritime Police had written to the Nigeria Customs Service as far back as November 2024 to verify the ownership of the containers. Customs confirmed their allocation to Elevate Moore Ventures and issued a directive to the terminal to release them. However, Ekko Premier Container and Allied Services allegedly disregarded both the police and Customs’ instructions, demanding additional verification.
According to the petition, the situation took a more troubling turn when intelligence reports revealed that the containers were almost removed under suspicious circumstances on the night of March 20, 2025. The association claims the containers were lifted without a valid delivery order from the shipping line, raising concerns about a deliberate attempt to divert or tamper with the goods.
Further investigations suggest that the containers may have already been compromised. One is suspected to have been stuffed with cement blocks, while another was allegedly found empty. These developments have heightened suspicions that the terminal management may have engaged in fraudulent activities to cover up the diversion of goods.
NAGAFF has now urged the Maritime Police to take decisive action by arresting the terminal management and ensuring a thorough examination of the containers to ascertain the extent of any tampering. The association further called for closer collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
This case underscores growing concerns within Nigeria’s maritime sector regarding cargo security and compliance with due process. Industry stakeholders are watching closely to see how authorities will handle the matter, as the outcome could set a precedent for similar disputes involving cargo clearance and terminal operations.
