The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has clarified the circumstances surrounding the stoppage of petrol discharge operations involving an MRS vessel at TinCan Island Port in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the TinCan Command, Oscar Ivara, said the vessel, MT Ny Maria, arrived from the Dangote refinery carrying 81,200 metric tonnes of premium motor spirit (PMS).

According to the command, customs officers boarded the vessel on May 23 to carry out routine documentation and compliance checks but discovered that the ship did not possess complete documentation, including the required last port clearance from its point of origin.

The service said the vessel’s representatives were given a two-day window to provide the missing document, while the ship remained under customs seal and supervision pending compliance.

Customs, however, alleged that intelligence reports later revealed that the vessel had commenced discharge operations on Wednesday without obtaining final clearance from the agency and while still under official customs restriction.

The statement further disclosed that officers who moved to enforce compliance at the terminal encountered resistance from security personnel stationed at the facility. Despite the obstruction, the officers reportedly gained access to the premises and ordered an immediate halt to the discharge operation.

The command said the ship master was instructed to report to the Enforcement Unit to provide statements regarding the incident, stressing that he was not arrested.

“The vessel was subsequently resealed in line with existing procedures,” the statement added.

The NCS maintained that its actions were backed by provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which empowers the agency to inspect vessels, verify documentation, supervise cargo discharge and enforce compliance within customs-controlled zones.

It noted that seaports are designated customs control areas under the law and that imported goods must only be unloaded under customs supervision after proper clearance procedures have been completed.

The agency added that investigations were ongoing into the unauthorised discharge operation and the alleged obstruction faced by officers during enforcement activities.

Meanwhile, officials of MRS had earlier stated that the vessel obtained all necessary approvals from port authorities, customs and immigration agencies before discharge operations commenced.