Nigerian freight forwarders petition IGP over alleged maritime police extortion

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, alleging widespread misconduct by the Maritime Police Command. The petition identifies the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and Tin-Can Island Port as primary locations where officers are reportedly engaging in extortion, intimidation, and the obstruction of trade.

NAGAFF alleges that officers use container blockage letters to demand payments before releasing cargo. The association further claims that practitioners have faced verbal abuse, unlawful arrests, physical assault, and the seizure of documents, which they argue increases the cost of doing business and disrupts supply chains.

In response to separate stakeholder engagement, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to port reforms. The Association of Maritime Truck Owners and Transporters of Nigeria (AMATO) commended the command for efforts to eliminate illegal checkpoints and reduce port congestion, noting improvements in truck turnaround and road safety.