By Marie-Therese Nanlong

The Executive Director of Mashiah Foundation, now known as Mashiah Care Initiative, Pastor Bayo Oyebade, has appealed to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to release the organization’s container (number NYKU4044726) that has been held for over four years at the Tincan Island Port, despite fulfilling all conditions for its release.

Pastor Oyebade linked the recent report about importers diverting cargo to Togo (as reported by a national newspaper on Thursday, February 13, 2025) to the frustrating attitude of Nigerian Customs officials at the country’s ports.

Speaking to journalists in Jos, Plateau State, Pastor Oyebade explained that the issue began four years ago when medical equipment was donated to his organization by SOS International Inc., USA. Despite spending nearly ₦12 million on the container’s clearance, Customs officials have refused to release it.

“We work with orphans, widows, and the vulnerable, providing medical and humanitarian support. We offer scholarships to about 120 children and run a clinic serving underprivileged communities. In 2020, while I was in the US, SOS International Inc. donated medical equipment and other items to us and sent a container to Nigeria,” he said.

“Before the container arrived, our agent contacted the Nigerian Customs Service at Tincan Island Port to understand the clearance process. When it arrived on January 8, 2021, we were asked to pay the duty, which we did. Later, they told us to obtain an import duty exemption certificate from the IDEC office in Abuja, which we secured in June 2022.

“Customs officials inspected the container and confirmed it contained donated items, including hospital equipment, chairs, beds, and a Toyota Yaris car. Despite paying the duty twice and meeting all their demands, they have refused to release the container.”

He added that letters had been written to the Nigerian Customs Service headquarters in Abuja, and the Customs office in Jos confirmed the container had been cleared. However, no reason has been given for its continued detention.

“Every year, we follow up with them, but after four years, the container remains unreleased while they continue demanding payments. So far, we have spent nearly ₦12 million on agent fees, Customs clearance, and other charges,” Oyebade lamented.

He expressed his frustration, questioning why people would not divert their cargo to Togo when Nigerian Customs refuse to release containers without cause. According to him, a Customs officer in Jos recently confirmed that all procedures had been followed but could not explain why the container had not been released.

Oyebade emphasized that the equipment in the container is meant for humanitarian relief, and the prolonged delay caused by Customs officials has resulted in the container being classified as “overtime cargo,” with the threat of forfeiture to the Federal Government and auctioning to the public.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and ensure the release of the container.

“We followed all legal procedures on time, and the vulnerable people who need these medical supplies should not suffer due to unnecessary bureaucracy and foul play,” he added.