By seaflyponews 
Freight Forwarders Raise Alarm Over Alleged Extortion , Container Arrests By Zone 2 Police Officers
….threatens to withdraw services,if the matter is not fully addressed
By Babatunde Aremu
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned the Maritime Police Headquarters over what it describes as incessant and indiscriminate interception of duly cleared containers by officers of Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.
In a letter addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police, Hon. Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator of NAGAFF’s 100% Compliance Team, lamented the recurring activities of Zone 2 officers, claiming they have disrupted port operations and subjected freight agents to extortion.
The petition details allegations of officers intercepting containers lawfully processed by the Nigeria Customs Service and other government-approved agencies, reportedly acting on behalf of their supervising Assistant Inspector-General. NAGAFF expressed dismay that such actions persist despite the presence of a Commissioner of Police overseeing the ports under the jurisdiction of the Maritime Police.
Tanko highlighted that freight forwarders had previously protested these actions, which were briefly curtailed but have now resurfaced. The association asserts that the repeated interventions by Zone 2 officers are illegal, impede the efficient clearance of goods, and obstruct economic activities at Lagos ports.
The petition also cited assurances from a former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, regarding a circular that expressly restricts any police department, other than the Maritime Police, from engaging in matters related to maritime trade unless officially invited or petitioned.
NAGAFF further accused Zone 2 officers of extorting freight agents for sums as high as ₦1,000,000 per container during these interventions. The association warned of potential mass protests and a shutdown of port operations if the practice continues, emphasizing the economic implications and the threat to government revenue.
The freight forwarders are calling on the Maritime Police to collaborate with Zone 2 authorities to halt these activities immediately and restore normalcy at the ports.
“We therefore, in view of the above, respectfully urge you sir, to call the Zone 2 Police officers to order and save the ports from an imminent restiveness that may paralyze business activities and further cause economic loss to government revenue. We may have no option than to go on protest which may result in a possible shutdown of the seaports” the petition warned.
Copies of the petition were also sent to key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and several customs and port managers.
As tension rises in the maritime sector, all eyes are on the authorities to address these pressing concerns and avert a crisis that could paralyze Nigeria’s critical trade hubs.