The Customs releases trucks operation has brought relief to dozens of transport operators after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) freed 36 trucks impounded during an investigation into alleged trade infractions at Zarmmak Bonded Terminal in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.
The trucks, owned by members of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), had been detained by officers of the Customs Police attached to the Zone ‘A’ Federal Operations Unit (FOU) after the bonded terminal was sealed over suspected violations of Customs regulations. Although the Nigeria Customs Service has not disclosed the specific nature of the alleged infractions, the enforcement action disrupted logistics activities and led to concerns among transport operators over mounting financial losses.
Confirming the development, AMATO Secretary-General Mr. Sani Mohammed said the release followed the intervention of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, after the association repeatedly appealed to the Service. According to Mohammed, the affected truck owners maintained that they were not connected to the alleged violations under investigation and should not suffer losses arising from issues linked to the terminal’s operations.
“The intervention of the Comptroller-General has brought significant relief to our members who had suffered avoidable financial losses as a result of the prolonged detention of their trucks,” Mohammed said.
Following the Customs releases trucks decision, AMATO expressed appreciation to the Customs leadership, describing the action as a demonstration of the Service’s commitment to stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
The association noted that returning the trucks to their owners would allow affected operators to resume business activities and reduce the financial burden caused by the prolonged disruption. Transport operators had earlier expressed concerns that continued detention of the vehicles was affecting cargo movement and threatening the livelihoods of truck owners.
Reacting to the operation, the Controller of the Zone ‘A’ Federal Operations Unit, Comptroller Aliyu Gambo, said the enforcement exercise was carried out to ensure compliance with existing Customs laws and regulations. The Service maintained that its actions were part of ongoing efforts to enforce trade rules and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s import and export processes.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the management of Zarmmak Bonded Terminal were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Similarly, calls and text messages sent to the Controller of the Federal Operations Unit before publication were not answered. With the Customs releases trucks decision now implemented, affected transport operators are expected to resume normal operations while Customs continues its investigation into the alleged trade infractions at the bonded terminal.
