KEY POINTS
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Navy personnel allegedly took over the Onne port gates.
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The incident reportedly followed a dispute over port access.
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Port users, including Maersk staff, were unable to enter.
Tension has emerged at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) in Onne, Rivers State, after personnel of the Nigerian Navy allegedly took control of the port gates and blocked access to port users following a confrontation with a security guard attached to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The incident reportedly disrupted movement into and out of the terminal, leaving port users unable to gain entry. Among those affected was the Maersk team operating in Onne.
Disagreement over port access triggers confrontation
Reports indicate that the incident began when a Nigerian Navy personnel and an NPA security guard had an altercation over identification and access into the port.
The disagreement reportedly escalated after the naval personnel raised an alarm and called the attention of his colleagues to the situation.
Sources said other Navy personnel subsequently arrived at the scene and attacked the security guards manning the NPA gates.
The naval personnel allegedly forced the guards away, took control of the gates and shut them down, preventing port users from entering the facility.
Port users stranded as access is blocked
The takeover reportedly brought access to the Federal Ocean Terminal to a halt, with no one able to enter the port at the time the report was filed.
The disruption also affected the Maersk team in Onne, although the report did not provide details about the extent of the operational impact or how long the shutdown lasted.
The circumstances surrounding the initial disagreement and the response by the Navy remain unclear.
No official explanation provided
As of the time of filing the report, there was no official statement from the Nigerian Navy or the Nigerian Ports Authority explaining the incident.
It was also unclear whether discussions had begun between the two agencies to resolve the confrontation and restore normal access to the terminal.
Further details are expected as more information emerges.
