No Shortcuts: Tin Can Customs Affirms Lawful Enforcement on Unauthorized PMS Discharge Without Clearance
No Shortcuts: Tin Can Customs Affirms Lawful Enforcement on Unauthorized PMS Discharge Without Clearance
By Success Okezie
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, has set the record straight on its recent enforcement action involving the vessel MT NY Maria, which was caught discharging Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at the MRS Terminal, Dantata Jetty, without the required Customs clearance.
In a detailed statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Oscar Ivara, the Service made it clear that its officers acted entirely within the law and in full compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
According to the statement, officers from the Boarding and Rummaging Unit boarded MT NY Maria on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, shortly after it arrived from the Dangote Refinery for routine documentation and compliance checks.
During the inspection, officers discovered that the vessel was missing critical paperwork, most importantly the mandatory Last Port Clearance from its port of origin. Following standard procedure, the vessel was immediately sealed and placed under Customs control, while the agent was given a 48-hour window to produce the outstanding document.
The situation escalated on Wednesday, 27th May 2026, when the Command received intelligence that the vessel had begun discharging PMS without obtaining clearance and while still under official seal. When Customs officers arrived at the terminal, they met resistance from security personnel on ground. Despite the obstruction, the officers lawfully gained access to the facility.
The ship master was ordered to halt the unauthorized discharge immediately and report to the Enforcement Unit to provide an official statement. The vessel was subsequently resealed. The Command stressed that the ship master was not arrested but was only invited to assist with ongoing investigations.
The operation was backed by clear provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. Specifically, Sections 30–35, 46–58, and 212, 222, 223, 225, and 226 empower officers to board vessels, conduct inspections, verify documentation, enforce compliance, and take necessary action within Customs Control Zones such as international seaports.
The Command described the discharge of PMS without clearance and under seal as a direct violation of the Act, which carries penalties including seizure, forfeiture, and other sanctions. Investigations into the incident, including the obstruction faced by officers, are still ongoing.
The Tin Can Island Port Command reiterated that no individual, vessel, or terminal operator is above the law. All operators within Nigeria’s ports are expected to complete documentation and secure clearance before commencing any cargo operations.
“The Service remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring strict adherence to national fiscal, trade, and security regulations,” the statement read.
The Command also urged the public to rely only on verified information from official sources and to avoid spreading misleading narratives that could undermine lawful regulatory enforcement and public trust.
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