The Nigeria Customs Service has explained why an MRS vessel was prevented from discharging petrol at TinCan Island, saying the vessel allegedly commenced discharge operations without obtaining the required customs clearance.
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The vessel, Mt Ny Maria, was said to be carrying 81,200 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit.
The incident reportedly led to a confrontation between Customs officers and security operatives at the terminal on Wednesday during an enforcement operation.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the NCS TinCan Command, Oscar Ivara, said the vessel arrived from the Dangote Refinery and was boarded by Customs officers on May 23 for routine documentation and compliance checks.
According to him, officers discovered that the vessel did not have complete documentation, specifically the mandatory last port clearance from the port of origin.
Ivara said the vessel’s agent was given two days to produce the outstanding document, while the vessel was sealed and placed under Customs control pending compliance.
However, he said officers later received intelligence on Wednesday, May 27, that the vessel had allegedly commenced discharge operations without the required Customs clearance and while still under official Customs seal.
“Contrary to the directive issued by the Service, officers subsequently received intelligence on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, that the vessel had commenced discharge operations without obtaining the requisite Customs clearance and while still under official Customs seal,” the statement read.
Customs said its officers mobilised to the terminal but encountered resistance from security personnel stationed at the facility.
The service said the officers eventually gained lawful access to the premises and directed the ship master to immediately stop the alleged unauthorised discharge operation.
The ship master was also directed to report to the Enforcement Unit to make official statements as part of ongoing investigations.
Customs clarified that the ship master was not arrested but merely invited to make statements.
“The vessel was thereafter resealed in accordance with extant procedures. The Service wishes to state categorically that the ship master was not arrested at any point but was only invited to make statements as part of ongoing investigations,” the statement added.
The NCS said its actions were backed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, particularly provisions relating to customs control, inspections, examination of goods, verification of documentation and enforcement within customs-controlled zones.
It stated that international seaports are customs control zones under Section 31(2)(b) of the Act, adding that imported goods must be unloaded, inspected and cleared strictly under Customs supervision.
According to Customs, discharging PMS without clearance and while under official seal violates legal provisions on reporting obligations, declaration and presentation of goods, unloading procedures and release of cargo under Customs control.
The command said Customs officers are empowered by law to board, inspect, detain and enforce compliance on vessels and cargoes operating within customs-controlled areas.
“Investigations into the incident, including acts of obstruction encountered by officers in the course of lawful enforcement, are currently ongoing in line with extant legal and administrative procedures,” the NCS said.
MRS officials had earlier reportedly said the vessel had undergone port, Customs and immigration clearance before the discharge of PMS began.
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