The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has firmly responded to media reports in Nigeria alleging that a container linked to Sierra Leone was found with cocaine at a Nigerian port.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Authority clarified that it has not received any official communication from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) confirming the allegations involving the container with registration number GCNU1332851.

According to SLPHA, a formal request for official information has already been sent to the NPA, and the Authority is currently awaiting an official response to verify or dispel the reports.

Shipping Company Confirms Container Left Sierra Leone Empty

The Authority revealed that the shipping company responsible for transporting the container, Grimaldi, confirmed that the container departed Sierra Leone empty and was received in the same condition at the Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) in Lagos.

To further reassure the public, SLPHA released verified movement records from Grimaldi and the Container Terminal Operator (FTL) in Freetown detailing the container’s handling history:

The container is a standard 20ft dry container.

It arrived in Freetown on 13 September 2025 aboard the vessel Grande Atlantico.

It was delivered full to its consignee on 8 October 2025 and returned empty to FTL’s terminal on 11 October 2025.

On 24 October 2025, crew members of the vessel Grande Ghana 0225 inspected the container, sealed it, and loaded it onto the vessel.

The container weighed 2,200 kg, the standard weight of an empty 20ft container.

The vessel’s Chief Officer signed the loading report confirming the container’s empty status.

The container departed Freetown on 24 October 2025, headed to Lagos via Cotonou.

Lagos Port Records Support Sierra Leone’s Position

Additional information provided to SLPHA by Grimaldi (Nigeria) further supports the Authority’s clarification:

The vessel berthed in Lagos on 29 October 2025 at 23:38.

Offloading operations began on 30 October at 00:40.

The container was discharged empty on 30 October 2025 at 13:00.

All operations on the vessel concluded on 31 October 2025.

The container was flagged in Lagos on 7 November 2025, eight days after it had already been discharged.

SLPHA emphasized that it remains committed to transparent, accountable, and secure port operations, assuring the public that it will continue to monitor the situation closely while awaiting formal communication from Nigerian authorities.