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 in Lagos, following a high-level stakeholder meeting aimed at tackling congestion and improving cargo movement along the country’s busiest trade routes.
NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, who disclosed the development after the meeting, said investigations uncovered multiple bottlenecks along the corridors, including illegal extortion points, jurisdictional overlaps among security agencies, distortions, and activities around Berger and Mile 2 have slowed down cargo movement.
A central concern raised at the meeting was the overlap between Maritime Police, and the Lagos State Police Command, which Dantsoho said had led to clashes and confusion in enforcement responsibilities along the corridors.
He noted that the lack of clear jurisdiction had created gaps that bad actors were exploiting to mount illegal checkpoints and extort truck operators.
Both the Maritime Police and the Lagos State Police Command used the forum to firmly deny authorising any checkpoints along the port access roads.
The assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Maritime, Okunade Ronke, was categorical in her denial, warning that any officer found operating such checkpoints under claims of official deployment is acting fraudulently and should be reported immediately for disciplinary action.
As a way forward, stakeholders agreed to establish a joint Task Force comprising the NPA, the Lagos State Government, the Police, and other relevant agencies to coordinate enforcement, eliminate extortion, and ease traffic flow along the Apapa and Tin Can Island corridors.
A broader committee is also to be constituted, with clear terms of reference for sustained monitoring involving freight forwarders and transport operators, including the Association of Maritime Truck Owners.
Dantsoho expressed optimism over the outcome of the discussions, noting that Nigeria’s ports have already been recognised by the World Bank among the most improved globally.
He said the latest agreements would build on that momentum, adding that the goal is for Nigerian ports to outperform their regional counterparts in efficiency and service delivery.
