Two import containers cleared from APM Terminals missing, Customs raise alarm

By TOLA ADENUBI, Lagos

The Federal Operation Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the weekend revealed that two import containers cleared from APM Terminals to a bonded terminal in Lagos are currently missing and their whereabout unknown.

Addressing selected journalists in Lagos at the weekend, acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Hussein Ejibunu revealed that three containers left APM Terminal on transier, but one of the three containers was seen on the road being trans-loaded into two small trucks by unknown persons while the remaining two containers are yet to be recovered.

According to the FOU Zone A Controller, “Three containers left APM Terminals for a bonded terminal in Lagos.

“They all got to the bonded terminal but later disappeared from the terminal. When my officers went on the trail of the missing containers, one of the missing containers was seen on the road being trans-loaded into two smaller trucks by some people. The two trucks and that container have been brought to our office and they are here with us as I speak.”

“The other two containers that were taken on transier from APM Terminals to the bonded terminal in Lagos also got to the bonded terminal. The Customs officer who was supposed to take those two containers to the bonded terminal indeed took them there. We have it on record that the two containers left APM Terminals and landed safely at the bonded terminal in Lagos.

“However, how the two containers disappeared from the bonded terminal is what we are still investigating. The two containers where-about is yet unknown as we speak and we are on top of the situation. the OC of the bonded terminal has confirmed to us that the contianers got to the terminal. He however does not know how the containers left the off-dock termijal. we are currently on the trail of the two missing containers.” (Sunday Tribune)