The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Police Force have launched a coordinated crackdown on unauthorised checkpoints and roadblocks along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors, aiming to ease congestion and improve efficiency on Nigeria's busiest logistics routes.
High-Level Meeting Yields Agreement
The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed the outcome after a high-level stakeholder meeting in Lagos, which included security agencies, freight forwarders, and transport unions. The meeting focused on eliminating operational bottlenecks affecting port access roads.
Investigations revealed multiple challenges, including illegal extortion points, jurisdictional overlaps among security agencies, and distortions that have slowed cargo movement. Dantsoho stated: 'We have problems along the port corridor in Apapa and Tin Can Island. Now, we have established that there are issues around expulsion along the corridor. That is outside the port.'
Jurisdictional Overlaps Identified
The NPA boss identified jurisdictional conflict between the Maritime Police and the Lagos State Police Command as a major concern. 'The second issue is the issue of overlap, jurisdictional overlap. In our system, what is established is that there is a police command for the port system, Maritime Police, and then there is also the Lagos State Police Command. So, in some instances, there are clashes, overlaps,' he explained.
Both police commands have now denied authorising checkpoints along the corridors. Dantsoho noted: 'We have achieved a great lot of success in our discussions… The AIG Maritime Police has clearly stated that they do not send anybody to go and form roadblocks or checkpoints on the corridor. Equally, the Lagos Police Command has said the same thing.'
Commitment to Collaboration
Dantsoho added that all relevant agencies have committed to deeper collaboration to enhance efficiency and position Nigeria's ports as regional leaders. 'Our emphasis will be that we are going to function, and then function better in our practices, so we can do better than our neighboring countries,' he said.
He also highlighted that Nigeria's port system has been recognised globally. 'Our port system inside the ports have recently been confirmed as one of the most improved in the world by the World Bank,' he said, attributing progress to ongoing reforms.
Police Deny Official Checkpoints
Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Maritime, Okunade Ronke, denied that police officers are deployed to checkpoints along the Lagos port corridors, insisting that any personnel found extorting truckers are acting illegally. 'We have never posted officers to any checkpoint around the port environment,' she said, urging that illegal activity be reported for disciplinary action.
The meeting agreed to establish a joint task force comprising the Lagos State Government, the NPA, the police, and other stakeholders to ensure smoother operations, eliminate extortion, and improve traffic flow.
Stakeholders Welcome the Move
Stakeholders, including representatives of the NPA and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), welcomed the crackdown, describing it as a step toward addressing long-standing concerns about extortion, harassment, and disruption of cargo movement. A broader committee will be constituted to develop clear terms of reference for sustained monitoring and enforcement.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation emphasised the need for inter-agency cooperation, noting that the issue involves security and regulatory enforcement across multiple jurisdictions. Participants expressed optimism that the coordinated approach would improve security, ease congestion, and enhance overall efficiency along the Lagos port corridors.
