Nigeria launches joint task force to curb extortion and illegal checkpoints on Lagos port corridors

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Government have agreed to create a joint task force to eliminate illegal checkpoints and extortion along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors. The decision followed a high‑level stakeholder meeting in Lagos convened by the NPA, where NPA Managing Director Dr Abubakar Dantsoho highlighted widespread extortion on roads outside the ports and jurisdictional overlaps between the Maritime Police Command and the Lagos State Police Command. Both the Assistant Inspector‑General of Maritime Police, Okunade Ronke Nurat, and the Lagos State Police Command denied authorising any roadblocks.

Stakeholders, including truck owners, freight forwarders and transport unions, pledged deeper collaboration to improve coordination, reduce congestion, speed cargo movement and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional maritime gateway.