Author: Dodo Elias Denen

  • NIMASA Hands Over Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) To Technical Partners

    NIMASA Hands Over Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) To Technical Partners

    Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR flanked by the Managing Director, Melsmore, Mr. Danny Fuchs (left) and the Chief Engineer of Melsmore, Mr. Givol Yaron during the handing over of the leased site at the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) of the Nigerian Ports Authority to the technical partners, Melsmore. The event was held at the headquarters of the Agency in Lagos.

    The Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has handed over the leased site at the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) of the Nigerian Ports Authority to the technical partners, Melsmore.

    The technical partners are to liaise with the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority in finalising site management, which include risk assessment in preparation to move the Modular floating Dock to the Continental Shipyard for the commencement of full operations.

    NIMASA and the technical partners also agreed to invite manufacturers of the Floating Dock, Damen Shipyard to join in recommissioning the Dockyard, while site preparations are ongoing. This is to ensure the Floating Dock is deployed in the shortest possible time.

    L-R: Head, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Taiwo Olaniyan; Managing Director, Melsmore, Mr. Danny Fuchs; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR; Chief Engineer of Melsmore, Mr. Givol Yaron; and Head, Public, Private Partnership Unit of NIMASA, Mr. Kabiru Diso. During the handing over of the leased site at the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) of the Nigerian Ports Authority to the technical partners, Melsmore, which was held at the headquarters of the Agency in Lagos.

    While addressing officials of Melsmore, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR, emphasised the need for them to review the action plan in the light of realities on ground with detailed deliverables, and key performance indicators with clearly stated timelines.

    “Nigerians eagerly await the deployment of the Modular Floating Dock. This is a national asset, which has potentials to boost maritime trade, create jobs, develop skills, by providing training avenues to various maritime training institutions in Nigeria, while also attracting foreign investment and preventing capital flight, thereby generating revenue. We hope to have students from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria and the Maritime University Okerenkoko amongst other maritime institutions come for practical time”, the DG said.

    In his remarks, the Managing Director, Melsmore, Mr. Danny Fuchs thanked the Management of the Agency for the opportunity to work on such important project, and gave the assurance that the company is prepared to handle the movement of the floating dock from the naval dockyard to the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL).

    Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR flanked by the Managing Director, Melsmore, Mr. Danny Fuchs (left) and the Chief Engineer of Melsmore, Mr. Givol Yaron during the handing over of the leased site at the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) of the Nigerian Ports Authority to the technical partners, Melsmore. The event was held at the headquarters of the Agency in Lagos.

    It may be recalled that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recently leased designated areas at the Continental Shipyard for the operations of the Modular Floating Dock. The areas include; the dolphin jetty, waterfront of the jetty adjourning the slipway, an administrative block, a construction, welding and mechanical workshop and a civil maintenance workshop, among others.

    The project will be run on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

  • ACAMB To Hold 2nd National Stakeholders’ Conference 2023

    ACAMB To Hold 2nd National Stakeholders’ Conference 2023


    The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), the umbrella body of corporate and marketing communication professionals working in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria, has announced Thursday, August 17, 2023, as the date for its 2nd National Stakeholders’ Conference set to hold at Bankers House, CIBN, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Themed “Marketing Financial Services in Dynamic Times”, the ACAMB stakeholders’ conference will serve to spotlight the evolving role of marketing communications in Nigeria’s burgeoning financial services industry.

    The keynote address at the conference will be delivered by Yomi Badejo-Okunsanya, Group MD, CMC Connect and immediate past President, African Public Relations Association (APRA). There will also be a panel discussion featuring a number of high-profile marketing communication experts and c-suite executives including Steve Babaeko, CEO/Chief Creative Officer, X3M Ideas and President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Helen Ogboh, Group Head Manufacturing, Corporate Banking Directorate of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Tolulope Ogundipe, Group Head, Banking Services, Premium Trust Bank, Tosin Adebayo-Yusuf, Executive Director/COO, Heirs Life Assurance, Dr. Sunnie Omeiza-Michael, Director, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), James Agada, Director, CWG Plc.

    Commenting on the theme of this year’s stakeholders’ conference, Rasheed Bolarinwa, ACAMB President, said, “In dynamic times such as this, Marketing Communications plays an even greater role in the long-term viability and sustainable growth of Financial Institutions. It is no longer enough to offer innovative products and services, as these have become baseline in a highly competitive and consumer-driven market like ours. Hence, this conference has been carefully put together to provide all participants with the technical know-how to build and maintain trust with customers throughout the service journey whilst also factoring in the dictates of other key stakeholder groups.”

    As the umbrella body of all corporate and marketing communication professionals of Financial Institutions, ACAMB has, among other objectives, the mandate to evolve and implement strategies that would enhance the reputation of the Nigerian financial services industry. The 1st Stakeholders’ Conference which held in 2022 focused on building greater synergies within the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Nigeria, in the face of the ‘new normal’ brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. The event was well-attended and featured insightful masterclasses and mentorship programmes as well as fitness and bonding sessions.

    The annual ACAMB Stakeholders’ Conference is open to members of the banking community and the OPS. Intending media and communication practitioners, heads of related agencies, and other relevant stakeholders are also invited to attend.

  • ASIMPIN Says No Provision For Elders’ Forum In Constitution

    ASIMPIN Says No Provision For Elders’ Forum In Constitution

    The Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria (ASIMPIN) has distanced itself from a group over alleged impersonation.

    The alleged group recently branded itself as a ASIMPIN Elders’ Forum, meanwhile, the authentic Association’s constitution has no provision for Elders’ forum.

    ASIMPIN’s executives led by the Secretary-General, Prince Okey Egbuchulam; National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Dr. Obicee Okonkwo; and The Senior Special Assistant to the President-General, Mr. Emeka Nwosu; yesterday argued that the purported members of the Elders’ forum aren’t recognized members of any chapter of the association.

    Speaking at the press conference yesterday, Dr. Obicee Okonkwo said; “One must first be a member of a Chapter before you can lay claims to be a member of the whole body. You can verify from the ASIMPIN Constitution and other legitimate members of the association if there is any provision for Elders’ forum in the constitution; because there is nothing like that. So, before we begin to interrogate was these individuals said, we should note that they had no right to speak in any capacity on behalf of ASIMPIN”

    The ASIMPIN NPS also cited the Article 7, Section B of the Association’s constitution which stated that; “MODE OF ELECTION: The mode of election into any office of ASIMPIN shall be by secret ballot. The National Executive shall be by collegiate while Chapter shall be elected by all Chapter registered financially up to date members.”

    He further explained that going by the constitution, a fresh national elections will only be conducted after the chapter elections holding first, even as he added that interested contestants must be financial members.

    Dr. Obicee, however, explained that the new biometric system criticized by the alleged Elders’ forum was conceived to streamline the Association’s members to recognizable financially-committed members in Chapters.

    He recalled that in the previous and only election of the association, there was the national elections first before the chapter elections before the body had just been formed and needed to create a leadership structure.

    Also speaking, the Secretary-General of ASIMPIN, Prince Okey Egbuchulam revealed that at the recent national executives meeting the association agreed to introduce biometrics as part of efforts to know real members of the body so that non-members aren’t smuggled in during elections.

    Egbuchulam added that the ASIMPIN executives had contracted a private company to carryout the biometrics capturing for its members and the executives also distributed forms to the respective chapters to be obtained at N1000 for raw data before biometrics capturing.

    His words: “In September 2022, we had a NEC meeting at Villa Park in Lagos and we decided to do elections. However, to curb the fraudulent practice where candidates imported non-Igbos and non-members just for the sake of voting; we agreed that ASIMPIN’s Electoral Committee (ASIMPEC) will only be inaugurated after the biometrics and membership forms from the respective chapters have been completed.”

    “Subsequently, we printed forms and distributed to all the chapters; but no chapter has been able to register one member. No one has gotten back to us that any single member has registered. We need the chapters to fully register their members before we arrange for the private company to do the biometrics. The private company we contracted for this biometrics has been calling us repeatedly, but we help telling them to hold on”

    The ASIMPIN executives also dismissed claims that the biometrics capturing and manual registration of members are ploys to manipulate the electoral process, stressing that both activities will only strengthen the transparency and accountability in the association.

  • Freight Forwarders Engages NSC On Minimum Service Standard 

    Freight Forwarders Engages NSC On Minimum Service Standard 

    The Nigeria Shippers’ Council this morning organised an engagement meeting with freight forwarders where a draft minimum service standard for freight forwarding operation in Nigeria was discussed. 

    The meeting was chaired by the deputy director, standard services of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Mrs. H. I. Adaba and seconded by Mrs. Ibeh, the chief operations officer, standard services of the same Council.

    After the initial formal procedures, Mrs. Adaba read out the draft Minimum Standard which states that “Anyone in freight forwarding practice;

    1. Shall have a traceable office fully equipped with functional internet access 

    2. Shall be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) 

    3. A freight forwarder shall have a valid Custom’s license.

    – In an event a freight forwarder uses a license other than his/hers, the penalty shall be on the owner of the license in event of service failure, such penalties shall include; 

    i. Suspension from service  

    ii. Made to face the tribunal 

    iii. Blacklisted 

    4, All commercial engagement between the agent and the consignee/shipper shall be formally documented 

    5. In addition to the above, every freight forwarding contract shall have a Service Level Agreement which shall explicitly explain the extent of service to be rendered e.g. payment for delivery truck, warehousing including storage in transit, group age or consolidation, trucking to the agreed destination, payment of containers deposit/refund. 

    6. Charges shall be tied to services based on the Service Level Agreement and fully receipted. 

    7. Freight Forwarders must be conversant with the HS-Code classifications and shall offer honest and fair advice to that effect to avoid dispute during cargo clearance; failure which the agent shall bear the additional cost of cargo clearance. 

    8. A freight forwarder is liable for any loss arising from any false declaration or wrong application of the HS code 

    9. Provision for cost variation shall be evidently proven based on additional service rendered.

    10. Proforma invoices, debit notes and receipts relating to transactions shall be duly forwarded to the consignee within 7 days of completion of transaction.

    11. In addition, every transaction shall be receipted. 

    12. No agent shall hold a lien on cargo or deliver to proxy except where there is an agreement with the consignee”.

    Five different entities were invited to the meeting which included the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarding in Nigerian (CRFFN), the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF), the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics in Nigeria (APFFLON) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and at the end the freight forwarders were asked to react to the draft standard and a flurry of questions, objections and modifications followed.

    Ayodele Rasheed Shittu representing ANLCA stated that most of the contents of the draft guidelines are observed by freight forwarders, but that some consignees/importers do try to abuse the HS code for example using the US code 32 meant for clearing thinners with duty value of 5% to pay for paints with HS code 38 and duty value of 38%.

    A major issue that angered the freight forwarders about the draft standard is the question of why the Shippers’ Council should also be setting standard when the act that established the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding has empowered them to regulate all freight forwarding activities in Nigeria, but they also asked what the NSC is doing to protect freight forwarders against foreigners who are now encroaching into their business.

    The Acting Registrar of CRFFN, Chinyere Uromta talked about the responsibilities of the CRFFN on the regulation of freight forwarding, but added that she and her Council would like to have a meeting with the NSC before the next meeting with the freight forwarders.

    The Tin Can Island chapter chairman of APFFLON, Akeem Ayobiojo talked about the challenges faced by freight forwarders and the need for the economic regulators, the NSC to be alive to their responsibilities and protect freight forwarders who are the generators of the revenues to the government.

    Emmanuel Agubanze of NAGAFF opined that the NSC may have lost its bearing in the scheme of things as there should be a proper inter-agency collaboration and so advised the NSC to liaise with the CRFFN to regulate the freight forwarders. They also noted that section 19 of the CRFFN act stated that consignment should not be released to freight forwarders unless they can prove that they are registered with the CRFFN.

    Alhaji Aliyu of the LCCI noted that the draft standard of operation contains some aspects  that may be beneficial to all and asks that the NSC protects the freight forwarders.

    The freight forwarders generally demands that the Shipping Companies and Terminal Operators be addressed over their level of high-handedness and that truckers should also be regulated as part of the freight forwarding community. The freight forwarders were also totally miffed with the item number 8 on the draft service standard.

    The freight forwarders agreed that freight forwarding is vast and that the Shippers’ Council and the Council should go and harmonise their stand, but they were also advised to go and compile their operational challenges and send same to the Shippers’ Council while copying the CRFFN before their next meeting.

  • Veteran Journalist, Juliana Francis Launches Book On Human Trafficking

    Veteran Journalist, Juliana Francis Launches Book On Human Trafficking


    We Are Priceless, written by the celebrated and cerebral journalist, Juliana Francis.

    Japa, a trending slang, denotes the desperation of most Nigerians, both young and not too young, to flee the economic quagmire in the country to seek a better life in Europe and the West.

    Unfortunately, it did not just start. Sadly, it involves trafficking of innocent children, particularly girls of school age into sex slavery. Fraudulent people have continued to take advantage of the seemingly endemic poverty in the land to deceive parents into handing over their children to be trafficked into sexual exploitation abroad on the pretext of jobs with mouth-watering salaries.

    The book will be unveiled at 11am on August 31, 2023, at the POWA Hall, Oduduwa, off Sobo Arobiodu, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The launch will be headlined by dignitaries from all walks of life. The Chairman of the event is the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) now the Chair of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, the Speakers are Ms Olufunke Fayemi of the Report Women Network and chief producer, Voice of Nigeria and Mrs. Evelyn Usman, the vice-president, Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) while the Special Keynote Speaker is Dr. Godwin Morka, former director, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

    Others are the President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPSS), Otunba Yomi Odubela, as the Guest Speaker, former Presidential aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, as Special Guest/Book Reviewer, while the Special Guest of Honour is Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Frank Mba.

    Other Special Guests of Honour are the CEO, Raimi Salau Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Raimi Salau, the Director-General (DG), NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, and the Chair/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    We Are Priceless centres on the escape of five courageous children from sex slavery, which they were deceived into by the people who their parents and guardians trusted.

    According to the author, the book reminds us of how vulnerable children continue to be sacrificed on the altar of unbridled wealth accumulation via the selfish quest of adults who should protect them.

    “For too long, parents have been fooled into giving their children to human traffickers and merchants of child labour.

    “In Nigeria, children as young as eight years old, 10, and 13 are trafficked into sex slavery, child labour, and other crimes and many are killed in the process.

    “We can fight human trafficking by first catching our young ones, educating them to know about the ill, and joining in stopping it.

    “It is a campaign tool for all sectors, showing the realities of human trafficking and urging Nigerians to join the fight to checkmate the menace,” Francis said.

    The author studied Literature-In-English at the University of Ilorin. She started her journalism career in 2002 with The Sun newspaper. Francis was at different times the Crime Editor of the Nigerian Compass, the Newswatch newspaper and the New Telegraph.

    As a journalist, Francis has passion for unearthing crimes against humanity, especially the girl-child.

    She has won several awards and received multiple nominations across the globe. She is the first female overall winner of the coveted Wole Soyinka Prize for Investigative Reporting in Nigeria.
    Francis, a media consultant, is the CEO of Youthlens Initiative Development and the publisher of Youthlens.com.

    She is an alumnus of the ReportWomen Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP), 2017 set and also a trainer and mentor to budding journalists.

    Note: The author can be reached on 0802 368 4524.

    Signed by the Chairman,
    We Are Priceless Book Launch Committee,
    Abiodun Bello.

  • Ogun 1 Customs Generates Over N13m, Made Seizures Worth N106m In July

    Ogun 1 Customs Generates Over N13m, Made Seizures Worth N106m In July

    The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service under the result-oriented leadership of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Bamidele Makinde has generated over N13m and made seizures worth N106m in July. 

    According to a statement signed by SC Hammed Bukoye Oloyede, Public Relations Officer, this was in a feat to continued to sustain its performance on the mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling. 

    “In the month of July, 2023, the Command generated a sum of N13,370,229.00 as revenue, from baggage assessment and proceeds from auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The CAC commends the compliant travelers for their honesty and patriotism which made part of the generated revenue a reality.

    “In the area of anti-smuggling activities, the Command made a seizure of 2,113 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, 21 units of vehicles (means of conveyance & Tokunbo), 17,950 litres of PMS and 1,416 pieces of used tyres among others. The seizures were made from different locations across Ogun State and were mainly intelligence-driven. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is N106,757,592.00. 

    “The CAC wishes to enlighten the general public that the Command’s activities in Ogun State conform with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Various sections and subsections of the Act empower Customs’ operatives to carry out patrol freely in the exercise of their duties in enforcing Customs & Excise Laws, making seizures/detention, and arrest of suspects in connection with smuggling activities. 

    “The Act also prescribes various punishments on trade-related matters. Examples of such are obstruction of officers, hindrance, molestation or assaults on officers while on lawful duty as well as  preventing seizure of items, or arrest of a suspect which attracts a fine of N5,000,000.00, imprisonment for 5 years or both.

    “Comptroller Makinde on behalf of the Officers and Men of Ogun 1 Command thanks the Ag Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc(+) and members of his entourage on the occasion of his visit to the Command on Sunday, 6th August, 2023. 

    “He described the visit as an encouragement to officers and a morale booster. He assured the CGC of sustaining and improving the performance tempo of the Command.

    “The CAC also used the avenue to commend officers and men on their immense contributions to the laudable achievements of the Command. He consequently charged them to remain resolute in the discharge of their duties, which must be done with courtesy without loss of dignity.

    “As the Command’s stakeholders’ engagement continues to be brought to bear, the Controller appreciated the practical presence of our critical stakeholders, such as Heads of sister agencies; security agencies from Igolo; Secretary General Inter-border forum and clearing agents, during the visit of the Ag CGC. He thanked them for the warm reception accorded him. 

    “The CAC applauded the traditional rulers in the Ipokia Local Government Area, community leaders, youths and other members of Idiroko and Ipokia communities for the warm reception given to the Ag CGC when he visited the Palaces of Oniko of Ikolaje and Onipokia of Ipokia to pay homage and courtesy visit. 

    “He, on a final note, appreciated the gentlemen of the press for their usual objectivity in their news reportage,” the statement read

  • Man In Police Net For Robbing POS Agent Of Over N16m

    Man In Police Net For Robbing POS Agent Of Over N16m

    Police operatives attached to the Zone 2 Command has arrested one Olumide Remilekun Owolabi for allegedly stealing N16, 381, 000 from a POS agent. 

    Suspect was reported to have been arrested after complainant reported to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command. 

    “This deals with a case of fraud, criminal withdrawal/diversion and stealing to the tune of #16,381,000 sixteen million three hundred and eighty one thousand naira reported to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police through a written petition and referred to Zonal Monitoring Unit for discrete investigation.

    “One Mr. Raphael Alabi of ijoko road Ogun State reported one Olumide Remilekun Owolabi’ m’ who is an agent to Monipoint, sold POS Terminal to him sometimes in March 2023 and manipulated the POS terminal by adding a chip and creating an APP on his GSM phone thereby gaining access to every transaction made on the POS terminal on his phone where he made fraudulent withdrawals to the tune of # 16,381,000 between the period of 10th March to July 2023 into his personal account.

    “Suspect arrested and has made a confessionary statement to the crime, investigation still ongoing to unravel more facts.”

  • Police Arrest Suspected Ritualists Who Received N105m Ransom

    Police Arrest Suspected Ritualists Who Received N105m Ransom

    Operatives of the Nigerian Police attached to Zone 2 Command, Onikan has arrested five suspected ritualists who received N105m after abducting their victim’s wife and children. 

    The suspect was arrested following a petition received by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command Heads. 

    “On the 17th of July, 2023 a petition was received by the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2 Command Headquarters on criminals who deal on compelling action by way of intimidating, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, threatening to kill by written words, suspected ritualist, and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace by one Mr. Animashaun Oluwasegun who is the principal suspect, who changed his name to Afeez Uthman by way of documentation. 

    “Based on the petition, the Assistant Inspector General of Police detailed detectives from Zonal Anti- Piracy Unit who immediately swung into action and got the suspects arrested namely; Alh. Afeez Uthman Imoleayo, Mr. Ramon Temidayo Uthman and Saidi Ajayi.

    “Others are; Alhaja Monsurat Salami, Kikelomo and others who are still at large who conspired, abducted the complainant’s wife and children through which the total sum of One Hundred and Five Million Naira (105,000,000.00) was obtained with a written threat to kill the complainant and his family members. 

    “The principal suspects Alh. Afeez Uthman Imoleayo and his cronies also falsified the complainant’s children birth certificates and also compelled the complainant to relinquish all his properties to him.

    “Consequently, when the principal suspect Alh. Afeez Uthman Imoleayo was interrogated, he admitted the allegations against him for obtaining the alleged sum of One Hundred and Five Million Naira (N105,000,000.00). 

    “He also converted Model 2004 Chevrolet Rain Blazer SUV valued $9,700 USD equivalent to Five Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N5,600,000.00) and abducted the complainant’s wife and three children for twelve years, changed their vital documents such as birth certificates etcetera belonging to the complainant in connivance with his wife Alhaja Kikelomo and one Saidi Ajayi his driver.

    “The modus operandi of the suspect is by pretending to be a prayer partner with his victims as he is a strong member of an Islamic society called “Ansarullai Youth at Ikorodu, Lagos State”. He usesspiritual concoction to bath and drink with the pretence that it will pave way for his victims, and also make them to take an oath that they should not disclose to anyone.

    “In the interim, investigation is still on-going, suspects will be charged to court of competent jurisdiction, at the end of investigation, please.”

  • NAF Air Strikes Destroy Boats With Stolen Crude Oil 

    NAF Air Strikes Destroy Boats With Stolen Crude Oil 

    Hard times had continue to hit oil thieves as the Nigerian Airforce Air strikes destroy boats with stolen crude oil. 

    A statement signed by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force read that one of the boats was destroyed on August 5 in Rivers State. 

    “These are not the best of times for oil thieves and their accomplices in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria as the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) continue to strike at the heart of their activities. 

    “One of such operations occurred on Saturday 5 August 2023 at about 4 Nautical Miles South-East of Bille, a riverine area located west of Bonny Island and South of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.  

    “The air strikes became necessary after 3 boats were sighted tapping crude oil from a pipeline. Consequently, the boats were engaged and destroyed by the aircraft. 

    “Flying towards Port Harcourt, the crew also observed an active illegal refining site with tanks and reservoirs loaded with suspected illegal refined products, about 4 miles South-east of Idama in Rivers State. The site was subsequently attacked and destroyed.

    “Air strikes against these economic saboteurs will be sustained until they desist from their acts of thievery and economic sabotage. 

    “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has since directed all air component commanders nationwide to ensure they team up with other security agencies as they sustain air strikes on all criminal elements in the country. According to him, 

    “The days of treating criminal elements in our country with kids’ gloves is over.  We must continue on this trajectory until we bring all of them to their knees,” the statement read. 

  • Customs CG Visits Idiroko, Pledges Improved Customs Community Relations

    Customs CG Visits Idiroko, Pledges Improved Customs Community Relations


    The Ag. Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR has pledged to improve Customs Community Relations in Border Areas to facilitate the discharge of its mandates. 

    According to him, the role of the border community is vital to help security agencies in the discharge of their duties as regards national security. 

    He made this known on Sunday, the 6th of August, 2023, when he visited the Royal palaces of Oba John Olakunle Ojo, the Oniko of Iko Idiroko Kingdom, 

    Oba Yisa Adeniyi Adelakun Olaniyan, the Onikpokia of Ikpokia Kingdom, as well as the palace of Oba Kehinde Adeboye Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Oba of Ilaro Kingdom. 

    Stating the purpose of his visit, the Ag. CGC solicited the support of border communities and their leaders, as it is paramount to the success of the service operations. 

    He said, “Members of this community, like all other border communities in Nigeria, have a significant role in helping our Security Agencies in the discharge of their role as regards national security. 

    “Idiroko is very strategic to our operations; all borders around Idiroko represent a strategic gateway to not just trade and economic development of Nigeria but also for National security management”.

    The community leaders appreciated the Ag. CGC for his visit while raising concerns on issues affecting their livelihood.

    The Customs Boss, in response, charged them to channel their reactions appropriately to the government as the new administration would grant a listening ear while also soliciting their support. 

    “I will request you, as a community, to continue to support the government. “We have a new administration that has shown that it will listen to people, a new administration that has demonstrated that when policies are not working, we are ready to review it”, he noted. 

    “Because of that commitment, I want to charge members of this community to channel your reactions appropriately to government, and as a responsible government, I believe that they will listen to you and make amendments where necessary”, he added. 

    The Customs Boss also noted that recruitment policies will be revisited to ensure that more people from the border communities get slots into Nigeria Customs Service. 

    “One fair commitment will like to give to you is that we will do better in recruitment with people in border communities in the Nigeria Customs Service because we believe that they are stakeholders, and customs community relationship is stronger when you know that you have your sons and daughters in the Nigeria Customs Service”, he revealed. 

    “We are also not unmindful of the fact that where we have this kind of critical operations, we should also be talking about the kind of corporate social responsibility programs that we are going to be doing in places like this”, he added. 

    The CGC also visited the Ogun I Area Command at Idiroko, where he was received by the Area Controller, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, representatives of Sister Agencies and the Republic of Benin Customs Administration as well as stakeholders.

    He reiterated the need for all Agencies to remain focused and committed towards the ideal of national and regional security. 

    “For us in Customs and indeed all other members of the Security Agencies, our task in this part of the country is critical. We have a collective mandate to ensure and enhance national security”, he said. 

    “We see every criminal as an enemy of the state first and foremost before you begin to talk about our mandate of smuggling, human and drug trafficking, and all of that”, he emphasized. 

    The Visit is in continuation of his familiarization tour to Area Commands and Units in Zone ‘A’.

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