Onne port shut down as NPA, Customs officials engage in violent clash

Onne port shut down as NPA, Customs officials engage in violent clash

•Two stabbed in melee

The Federal Light Terminal (FLT) at Onne Port was on Tuesday shut down after a violent clash between officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and men of the Nigeria Custom Services (NCS).

Two NPA officials were allegedly stabbed by Customs officers during the melee.

An eyewitness said they were being at an undisclosed private hospital within the area.

The source said the Customs officer, who was in mufti, came to the NPA gate, where security officials requested that he identify himself, but he kept saying he was a Customs officer.

“It is the policy of the NPA that visitors must submit their identity cards at the gate, but this Customs officer refused to identify himself. While the argument was going on, the Customs officer called his colleagues, who came and pounced on the security officials. The NPA staff union also mobilised and faced the Customs officials. This is not the first time the two groups will fight, it is a routine.

“Two of the NPA workers were stabbed by men of the Customs services, in the head, elbow, while another was stabbed in the cheek. The Federal Light Terminal (FLT), has been shut down, NPA workers have closed work, they insisted they will not go back to work. This is always the case,” the eyewitness said.