Apapa Port Archives - Tona Today

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has intercepted 30.1 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The illicit drug, packaged in 30 slabs, was discovered aboard MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, at the Greenview Terminal on the first working day of the year.

The seizure was made known in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman, which was posted on the official X account of the Nigerian Customs Service on Saturday.

“Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have foiled an attempt to smuggle 30.1 kilograms of cocaine through the Apapa Port in Lagos.

“According to a press release issued on Friday, 2 January 2026, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman, the illicit drug, packaged in 30 slabs, was intercepted on the first working day of the new year, concealed onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, at the Greenview Terminal,” the statement read.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, commended the officers involved for their professionalism and vigilance during the joint operation.

“This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between Federal Government agencies and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement.

“While criminal elements seek to outsmart us, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export, or transit cargo, succeeds under my watch,” Oshoba said.

He said the interception underscored the command’s zero-tolerance stance on illicit trade in 2026, adding that efforts would continue to protect national security while facilitating legitimate trade.

The seized cocaine has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects connected to the shipment.

The statement added that the seizure was the third major drug interception recorded by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks.

“In line with established protocols, the seized cocaine has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and the prosecution of suspects linked to the shipment. The latest seizure represents the third major drug interception by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks.

“Barely two weeks earlier, both agencies intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel, following credible intelligence,” the statement read.

It recalled that about two weeks earlier, both agencies intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel.

On December 11, 2025, the joint team also seized 1,187 kilograms of “Canadian Loud”, a high-grade strain of cannabis, packed in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and hidden inside imported vehicles in a 40-foot container. (Punch)

A cargo ship, CHANG MIN, reportedly had some sections gutted by fire while anchored at one of the terminals in Apapa Port in Lagos on Friday.

This was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, and sighted by The PUNCH.

LASEMA explained that the vessel was laden with cargoes including CNG trucks, wooden products, tyres, and other highly combustible products.

It added that the fire was controlled through a combined effort from fire officials from the LASEMA Response Team, Onipanu, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigerian Ports Authority Fire Unit.

According to the statement, the fire was observed at the point of unloading, and the cause is yet to be ascertained at the time of filling in this report.

“Following distress alerts at 17:55, the 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,” the statement read in parts.

It highlighted 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 the time of the report.

The statement emphasised that 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,” it stated.

The statement stressed that 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.”

The LASEMA statement also added that the fire has been totally extinguished and the recovery operation concluded.

(Punch)

Tag: Apapa Port

Customs, NDLEA Seize 30.1kg Cocaine in Lagos port

Fire guts cargo ship at Apapa Port