The Nigeria Customs Service has sealed a vessel, MT NY Maria, for allegedly discharging Premium Motor Spirit without proper clearance at the MRS Terminal located at Dantata Jetty in Tincan Island Port, Lagos.
According to the Customs Area Command at Tincan Island, the vessel arrived from the Dangote Refinery and was subjected to routine inspection by officers of the Boarding and Rummaging Unit on May 23, 2026.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara, said officials discovered that the vessel did not possess complete shipping documentation, including the required last port clearance from its point of origin.
He explained that Customs officers granted the vessel’s representatives a two-day window to provide the missing documents while the ship remained under Customs seal and supervision.
However, the agency said intelligence later revealed that the vessel had begun discharging petrol cargo despite not receiving the required authorisation and while still under official seal.
Ivara stated that officers who moved to the terminal to halt the operation reportedly faced resistance from security personnel at the facility before eventually gaining access to the premises.
He said the ship master was instructed to immediately stop the discharge process and report to the Enforcement Unit to provide statements regarding the incident.
“The vessel was subsequently resealed in line with existing procedures,” he said, adding that the ship master was not arrested but only invited for questioning as investigations continue.
The Customs spokesperson stressed that the agency’s actions were backed by provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers officers to inspect vessels, verify cargo documentation and enforce compliance within customs-controlled areas.
He noted that international seaports are designated as customs control zones under the law and that imported goods must be unloaded and cleared only under Customs supervision.
According to him, discharging petroleum products without clearance while a vessel remains under Customs seal amounts to a violation of several sections of the Act relating to cargo declaration, unloading procedures and release of goods.
The agency also warned that violations of Customs regulations could attract sanctions, including detention, seizure and forfeiture of cargo or vessels involved.
Customs further said investigations were ongoing into the alleged obstruction encountered by officers during the enforcement operation.
The service reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict compliance with Nigeria’s fiscal and security regulations at the nation’s ports.
