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NPA moves against extortion rings, illegal checkpoints on Lagos port access roads

– rallies police, truckers, freight forwarders to clear man-made barriers choking cargo movement

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has launched a coordinated offensive against the web of illegal checkpoints, extortion points and inter-agency clashes that have for years strangled cargo evacuation along the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors.

In what appears to be one of the strongest institutional pushes yet to dismantle the human-made bottlenecks crippling port logistics, the Authority said it has secured commitments from security agencies, freight forwarders, truck owners and transport regulators to flush out illegal operators and restore sanity to the port access roads.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the NPA in Lagos on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Managing Director of the Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, said the agency had identified extortion points, operational distortions and jurisdictional overlaps among security agencies as key factors frustrating seamless cargo movement from the nation’s busiest ports.

According to him, the problems are not limited to the immediate port gates, but extend deep into the wider logistics corridor, including Berger and Mile 2, where traffic disruptions, harassment of truckers and illegal enforcement activities have continued to undermine port efficiency.

“We have problems along the port corridor in Apapa and Tin Can Island. Now, we have established that there are issues around extortion along the corridor. That is outside the port,” Dantsoho said.

He also pointed to jurisdictional rivalry among security agencies as a major source of confusion and abuse on the corridor.

“The second issue is 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 stated.

Dantsoho, however, said the meeting produced far-reaching resolutions aimed at ending the chaos and improving coordination among all actors operating within the port corridor ecosystem.

In a major breakthrough, he disclosed that both the Maritime Police and the Lagos State Police Command distanced themselves from the illegal checkpoints and roadblocks mounted along the corridor, denying ever authorising such deployments.

“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,” he said.

The NPA boss described the development as a critical step toward dismantling a long-standing regime of delays, harassment and extortion that has inflicted huge costs on importers, exporters and haulage operators.

He added that all relevant agencies, including security institutions, freight forwarding groups and government bodies — had now agreed to work more closely to improve efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian ports against rival ports in the sub-region.

“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,” Dantsoho said.

He further revealed that Nigeria’s port operations within the terminals had already begun earning global recognition, noting that the country’s port system had recently been ranked among the most improved in the world by the World Bank.

Dantsoho expressed confidence that the resolutions reached at the meeting would significantly ease congestion and accelerate cargo movement along the Apapa and Tin Can corridors.

“I want to thank you for coming to support us. We have achieved a great success from this meeting.

“The discussions were of high quality, and the outcome, I believe, is also high quality,” he added.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Maritime, AIG Okunade Ronke, flatly denied allegations that the police officially deploy officers to checkpoints on Lagos port access roads, warning that any officer extorting truckers under that guise is acting outside the law.

She said the stakeholders’ engagement was productive and had produced a consensus on a coordinated framework to tackle the chronic traffic and enforcement challenges plaguing the port corridors.

According to her, stakeholders agreed to set up a joint task force involving the Lagos State Government, the NPA, the police and other key agencies to improve traffic management, eliminate extortion and ensure smoother cargo operations around Apapa and Tin Can Island.

“We have never posted officers to any checkpoint around the port environment,” she said, stressing that any officer claiming deployment from Zone 2 or the Maritime Police to mount checkpoints should be reported for disciplinary action.

Okunade said the proposed collaborative framework would also help reduce the recurring jurisdictional conflicts that have complicated enforcement and weakened accountability on the corridor.

Stakeholders at the meeting, including representatives of the NPA and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), welcomed the initiative, describing it as a long-overdue response to the extortion, harassment and operational disruptions that have become routine on the port access roads.

They agreed that a broader committee would be constituted to include government agencies, freight forwarders and transport operators, with a clear mandate to drive sustained monitoring, enforcement and compliance.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation also underscored the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration, saying the port corridor crisis goes beyond traffic management and touches on security, regulation and enforcement across multiple authorities.

He noted that although illegal operators are sometimes arrested and prosecuted, only sustained cooperation among stakeholders can deliver a permanent solution to the persistent dysfunction around the Lagos port corridors.

At the end of the meeting, participants expressed optimism that the new coordinated approach would curb extortion, reduce congestion and improve the overall efficiency and security of cargo movement in and out of the nation’s premier ports.

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MARAN inaugurates new exco as stakeholders demand tougher ethical journalism for maritime growth

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry on Thursday, June 23rd, 2026,  threw their weight behind tougher ethical journalism, declaring that credible, fearless and professional reporting is indispensable to transparency, security, accountability and sustainable growth in the sector.

The charge came in Lagos at the inauguration of the newly elected Executive Council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), led by its new President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde.

At the event, industry leaders, security chiefs, freight forwarders and media professionals were unanimous that without ethical journalism, the maritime sector risks weakened public trust, distorted policy conversations, investor anxiety and a dangerous erosion of accountability.

Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony themed, “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development,” the Chief Executive Officer of Indigo Integrated, Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, said journalism remains the spine of public accountability and informed citizenship, warning that unethical reporting could inflict serious damage on the maritime industry.

He said inaccurate or sensational reporting on issues such as port congestion, piracy and regulatory disputes could discourage investors, unsettle shipping operators and fuel misconceptions about the sector.

According to him, maritime development goes beyond shipping and port operations to include fisheries, offshore energy, coastal trade and the wider blue economy, all of which depend on a stable information environment built on truth, fairness and professional responsibility.

Abimbola therefore urged maritime journalists to embrace investigative and data-driven reporting while remaining firmly committed to truth, balance, accountability and humanity in their work.

He also identified economic pressure, political interference, safety risks and the growing menace of misinformation on digital platforms as some of the biggest threats confronting ethical journalism in Nigeria.

Chairman of the occasion and President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, said ethical and investigative journalism remains crucial to deepening transparency, accountability and good governance in the maritime industry.

Maiguwa stressed that journalists must remain faithful to facts and continuously improve their professional capacity if they are to retain public trust and make meaningful contributions to policy reform and sectoral growth.

In his inaugural speech, MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, pledged to build a stronger, more united and professionally vibrant association capable of responding to the changing demands of maritime journalism.

He described MARAN as one of the oldest and most respected maritime journalism bodies in the country, saying the association has consistently served as a bridge between industry stakeholders and the public through years of reforms, economic shifts and institutional changes.

Onigbinde said ethical journalism remains at the heart of maritime development because no sector can grow sustainably in an atmosphere devoid of credible information, transparency and accountability.

“As maritime journalists, our duty goes beyond reporting events. We are expected to inform, educate, investigate, analyse and hold institutions accountable.

“We must resist sensationalism, reject misinformation and ensure that every report we publish is guided by truth, fairness, balance and professionalism,” he said.

The new MARAN President said his administration would focus on capacity building, investigative and data-driven journalism, digital reporting tools, improved welfare for members and stronger engagement with stakeholders without sacrificing editorial independence.

In a direct appeal for reconciliation after the association’s elections, Onigbinde declared that internal divisions must give way to unity.

“The elections are behind us. There are no longer camps. There are no factions. There is only one MARAN,” he declared.

Also speaking, the General Secretary of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr. Godfrey Nwosu, who represented the association’s National President, Chief Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezisi, described ethical journalism as a stabilising force in the maritime industry.

He said responsible reporting promotes transparency in port operations, strengthens institutional accountability, boosts investor confidence and supports reforms critical to the growth of the sector.

Nwosu urged the new MARAN executive to uphold professional standards, strengthen investigative reporting, deepen stakeholder engagement, embrace digital transformation and invest in continuous capacity development.

He also reaffirmed NAGAFF’s readiness to partner MARAN in training, research, information sharing and advocacy.

The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Toyin Agbaminoja, represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Isaac Hundeyin, also acknowledged the strategic role of maritime journalists in shaping public understanding of developments within the port environment.

Agbaminoja commended MARAN for its professionalism in reporting security issues in the ports, noting that the association’s work has helped to strengthen crime prevention awareness and public confidence in security agencies.

She assured stakeholders of the command’s commitment to sustaining a safe and business-friendly port environment through intelligence-led policing, stakeholder engagement and inter-agency collaboration.

The inauguration ended with a clear consensus among stakeholders that ethical journalism is not just a professional obligation, but a strategic necessity for maritime development, institutional credibility, investor confidence and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy.

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Anebonam charges maritime journalists on ethical, fearless reporting

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has charged maritime journalists to remain courageous, objective and committed to the truth.

Hello believed that sustainable reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector can only thrive on the foundation of responsible and fearless journalism.

Aniebonam gave the charge while receiving the newly elected Executive Council of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), led by its President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, during a courtesy visit to the NAGAFF headquarters in Lagos.

The veteran maritime stakeholder described the media as a critical institution for promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the industry, stressing that factual and constructive reporting compels policymakers and regulatory agencies to confront pressing challenges in the sector.

According to him, the media must continue to spotlight realities within the maritime industry, noting that credible and balanced reporting not only exposes systemic shortcomings but also pushes authorities towards corrective action.

He maintained that meaningful development can only flourish in an environment where journalists uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, integrity and public interest.

Reflecting on his decades of advocacy and service in the maritime sector, Aniebonam also urged journalists and other industry practitioners to embrace humility, forgiveness and mutual respect in their professional relationships.

He warned against inflammatory remarks and needless conflicts, describing integrity and respect as enduring values that shape lasting legacies.

The NAGAFF founder further underscored the importance of mentoring younger professionals to bridge the widening generational gap in the maritime industry.

He said deliberate succession planning and effective knowledge transfer have become increasingly important as many experienced practitioners approach retirement.

Earlier, MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, expressed appreciation to NAGAFF for its consistent support for the association over the years.

He said the visit provided an opportunity to formally introduce the newly elected Executive Council and further strengthen the longstanding relationship between both organisations.

Onigbinde explained that NAGAFF was deliberately chosen as the association’s first point of call in recognition of its strategic role in Nigeria’s maritime and freight forwarding industry, as well as the mutually beneficial partnership both bodies have sustained over time.

Also speaking, NAGAFF National President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, congratulated the new MARAN leadership and urged members to uphold professionalism, discipline and unity.

He advised the new executives to reconcile aggrieved members after the association’s elections, while demonstrating patience, emotional maturity and tolerance in the face of criticism.

The MARAN leadership also paid a courtesy visit to the National Coordinator of NAGAFF, Alhaji Tanko Muhammad, who pledged continued support for the association and urged maritime journalists to remain transparent, balanced and ethical in their reportage of developments in the sector.

Meanwhile, MARAN is set to inaugurate its newly elected Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

The inauguration, themed “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development,” is expected to attract heads of maritime agencies, industry leaders and other key stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The association said the new executive would prioritise professionalism, strengthen ethical journalism and promote responsible reporting as part of efforts to deepen transparency, accountability and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy.

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MARAN rallies stakeholders for inauguration of its new leadership 

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter ‎

‎Maritime stakeholders,heads of government agencies and industry leaders are expected to gather at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, for the inauguration of the newly elected Executive Council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN).
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‎The event, themed “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development,” will also provide a platform for the association to unveil its renewed agenda focused on promoting ethical journalism and professionalism within the maritime sector.
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‎Scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m., the ceremony is expected to attract key players across the maritime, shipping, logistics, security and media industries. Several heads of regulatory agencies and leaders of maritime associations have already indicated interest in attending the event.
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‎The President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, will chair the occasion, while respected public relations and event management expert, Bolaji Abimbola, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
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‎Dignitaries expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho,the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barrister Pius Akutah Ukeyima,and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
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‎Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarding groups, captains of industry and other stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
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‎Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a significant milestone in the association’s commitment to advancing professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism within the maritime sector.
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‎According to him, the new executive will prioritise capacity building, constructive stakeholder engagement and strict adherence to ethical standards in journalism.
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‎ He noted that responsible and professional reporting remains essential to promoting transparency, accountability and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime industry, as well as supporting the country’s blue economy aspirations.

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