NPA, Police Deny Authorising Checkpoints On Apapa, Tin Can Port Corridors
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have clarified that no official checkpoints or roadblocks have been approved along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port access corridors.
The clarification followed a stakeholder meeting in Lagos involving the NPA, security agencies, freight forwarders, truck operators and other port users to address congestion, extortion and other challenges affecting cargo movement.
Speaking after the meeting, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said discussions focused on operational bottlenecks along the port corridors, including illegal activities outside the port environment and overlapping responsibilities among security agencies.
Dantsoho explained that the challenges extend beyond the immediate port terminals to major access routes such as Mile 2 and Berger, where congestion and enforcement-related issues have continued to affect the movement of goods.
He noted that one of the key concerns identified was the duplication of roles between the Maritime Police Command and the Lagos State Police Command, which had sometimes resulted in conflicts along the corridor.
The NPA boss said the meeting recorded significant progress after both police formations confirmed that they had not authorised personnel to establish checkpoints or roadblocks on the port corridors.
“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,” Dantsoho said.
He expressed optimism that the agreement would reduce disruptions, improve traffic flow and create a more efficient environment for importers, exporters and other port stakeholders.
Dantsoho also highlighted recent improvements in Nigeria’s port operations, noting that reforms implemented by the Federal Government had contributed to improved efficiency within the port system.
Meanwhile, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Maritime Police, Okunade Ronke, said any officer found collecting money from truckers or operating illegal checkpoints was acting without authority and would face disciplinary action.
She stressed that no police officers had been deployed to establish checkpoints around the Apapa and Tin Can Island port areas, urging stakeholders to report any cases of misconduct.
Okunade added that stakeholders had agreed to establish a joint task force involving the Lagos State Government, NPA, police and other relevant agencies to tackle extortion, improve enforcement coordination and enhance cargo movement.
Representatives of port users, including the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), welcomed the development, describing it as a step towards addressing long-standing complaints of harassment and delays along the port corridors.
The stakeholders agreed to form a broader committee comprising government agencies, freight forwarders and transport operators to develop a framework for continuous monitoring and improved operations along the Apapa and Tin Can Island routes.
