Lagos Port Exposed

By Abrah 

Reports from the Lagos Port of Nigeria has intimated this medium that the container saga which was related to have come from Freetown Port and later discovered to have huge quantity of cocaine was a cynical strategy orchestrated by certain individuals in Nigeria who had wanted to dent the name and image of the Sierra Leone Government.

An undercover agent who works at the Lagos Port confirmed to Times SL Newspaper that based on records in Lagos Port and that of the Freetown Port, it was discovered that the container in question with prefix number (GCNU1332851) was first discharged at the Freetown Port on September 13th 2025, from the vessel Grande Atlentico. The consignee is said to have collected the container on 8^Th October 2025, and returned it empty on 11^th October 2025. Our investigation revealed that on the return of the empty container by the consignee, the Grande Ghana 0225 crew, on the 24th October, 2025, inspected the container at the Freetown Port and placed a seal on it before it was loaded onto the vessel.

The loading report seen by this medium revealed that at the time of departure on 24^th October 2025, the Chief Officer of the Vessel confirmed that the container was empty. Furthermore, that the vessel, Grande Ghana, left for Lagos via Cotonou and arrived in Nigeria on 29^th October 2025. It was found to be empty during its discharge on 30^th October 2025 with work on the said operation ending on 31^st October 2025. Sources at the Lagos Port disclosed that eight days later, it was said to contain cocaine.

Social commentators have raised concerns about how a container that left the shores of Freetown, landed in Nigeria and found to be empty, could all of a sudden, some eight days after being declared empty, be said to contain cocaine? Unfortunately for those trying to tarnish the image of the Sierra Leone government forgot that Port activities are recorded and various signatories affix their signature to every detail observed during the entire process of off-loading and loading. It is therefore, not surprising that both Grimaldi Nigeria and SLPHA records of the entire process corroborate each other.

    See SLPHA Press Release below:  

PRESS RELEASE

Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authoritv Addresses Allegations Involving

Container Reported in Nigeria

The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (the Authority) has taken note of media reports from Nigeria alleging that a container (GCNU1332851) linked to Sierra Leone was found with cocaine at a Nigerian Port.

The Authority wishes to clarify that it has not received any formal notification from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) confirming these claims. However, the Authority has formally requested official information from the NPA and is awaiting a response.

In the meantime, the shipping company responsible for the container, Grimaldi, has confirmed that the said container left the shores of Sierra Leone empty and was discharged at the Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Port in Lagos in the same condition (empty).

To provide clarity to the public, the Authority wishes to share the verified movement records and information from Grimaldi and the Container Terminal Operator (FTL) from the Port of Freetown as follows:

1. The container is a (normal) ‘dry’ 20ft container
2. The container was discharged at the Port of Freetown on September 13th 2025, from the vessel Grande Atlentico

3, It was deliveredfull to the consignee on October 8th 2025, in Freetown

4. It was returned empty to FTEs terminal on October 11th 2025
5. Grande Ghana 0225 crew inspected the said container at the Port of Freetown and placed a seal on it on the 24th October, 2025 before it was loaded onto the vessel
6. The weight of the container at the time of loading was 2,200kg (being the standard weight for 20ft empty container)
7. The loading report was duly signed by the Chief Officer Of the Vessel confirming the status of the said container (empty)
8. It departed Freetown empty on 24th October 2025 aboard the vessel Grande Ghana

0225 enroute to Lagos via Cotonou

The Authority is further seized of information from Grimaldi (Nigeria) which confirms the following:

1. That the Vessel berthed in Lagos on 29th October, 2025 (23:38)
2. That operations started on the vessel on 30th October, 2025 (00:40)
3. That the container was discharged empty on the 30th October, 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria (13:00)
4. That the operation ended on the 31st October, 2025 (19:00)
5. It further confirmed that the container was flagged on 7th November, 2025 in Lagos,

Nigeria (eight days after it was discharged)

The Authority remains committed to transparent and accountable port operations.

Signed,

Management

14/11/2025

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