… Operational Transparency: Police Call for Direct Reports on Maritime Irregularities
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, Ph.D, FCILT has vowed to uphold strict safety standards and protect the rights of port users within Nigeria’s transport value chain.
Speaking in Lagos on Friday, December 19, at a session dedicated to resolving Stakeholders cargo clearance disputes, organized by the Port Economic Regulator (Shippers Council), the NSC Chief, reiterated that the Council remains the ‘guardian of the ports,’ dedicated to ensuring a seamless and equitable business environment for all stakeholders.
Dr. Akutah further emphasised that Security doesn’t have to mean bureaucracy. The NSC boss confirmed robust collaboration with the police to enhance public and cargo safety while actively reducing operational burdens on businesses. He reiterated that the Council prioritizes a partnership model—not isolation—to guarantee efficient, safe maritime operations for all stakeholders.
Dr. Akutah said “Our attention was drawn to a report that says that we are conniving with the Maritime Police, and we said No, we can not do that, we can only work together with the police to advance the security of the public. In that work environment, we must ensure that the safety of cargo is guaranteed without further complicating issues or imposing additional costs on businesses,” he said.
“The police have been cooperating with us very well in this regard, they also have their own mandate and we cannot prevent them from carrying out their mandate, but in that work environment, we must ensure that the safety of your cargo is guaranteed.
“We are not complicating issues for you, we are not putting additional cost to your business.
“Our complaint unit is always up and doing, so many times we receive your complaints which we send to them and they immediately work on them. If you have any constraints in your business, the most important thing is for you to report to us and we are equal to the task to work it out with the Police” he stated.
He also stressed that the Council’s strides in resolving industry concerns, reaffirming that their dedicated Complaints Unit remains a responsive lifeline for stakeholders.
The ES.CEO also noted that every grievance is fast-tracked to the appropriate authorities for immediate action. Highlighting the strategic presence of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), he described the collaboration as a unified front dedicated to streamlining the entire value chain.
While acknowledging the daily complexities of the sector, Dr. Akutah underscored the Council’s role in fostering synergy among stakeholders. He urged industry players to report challenges promptly, reaffirming the Council’s ongoing collaboration with security agencies to eliminate bottlenecks and safeguard legitimate business operations from disruption.
However, he expressed his gratitude for the collaborative spirit shown by all stakeholders, noting that sustained partnership is vital to our collective progress. He reiterated that open communication remains the surest path to safeguarding our gains and ensuring seamless, efficient service delivery for the entire value chain.
In her address, the Council’s Director of Regulatory Services, Mrs. Margaret Ogbonna welcomed stakeholders, emphasizing the Council’s role as a regulator, she urged importers, cleaning agents and freight forwarders to write their petitions through Shippers Council and also to the police in cases on extortion on blocked containers.
She however said that the Council cannot force the Police to stop blocking containers based on intelligence, considering the level of insecurity in the country.
“We shall go through it, please attach evidence and we shall address it. Dont pay any fee, resist paying any fees that is not receipted.
“We cannot take any decision here that any cargo that has been cleared should not be intercepted, it is a sensitive decision to make. The fact that drugs and arms are found in already cleared containers means that the importers, officers are all culpable.
“However, what i would tell you is that Nobody should pay any amount to the police, make your petition through the Shippers Council” she said
The atmosphere turned candid as Chairman of Apapa Chapter of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Chief Emeka Chukwumalu took turns to condemn the blocking of containers by the Maritime Police, stressing that ANLCA raised concerns regarding police-led cargo interceptions.
In a firm rebuttal, the Maritime Police Command Public Relations Officer (PRO) ASP Adebayo Rasheed dismissed allegations of collusion as ‘fake news,’ asserting that the Force operates strictly within its statutory mandate. He challenged stakeholders to report any evidence of extortion directly to the AIG Maritime or his office for thorough investigation. Defending their oversight, he cited a recent high-stakes seizure: ‘Just last week, we intercepted a cleared container that was found to be transporting firearms. We must execute our mandate to ensure national security.
He maintained that the Police operate within their mandate and that the hold are placed on credible intelligence affirming that that the police would not compromise national security under the pretence of trade facilitation. He also stated that blocking of containers by the Police cannot be stopped.
Rashid, further cited instances that “Two weeks ago, we seized a shipment that contained arms, and this is a shipment that has been dully cleared, it was one of the dully cleared containers. The last time this happened, the owner of the container ran to the media to complain that the police are collecting N200,000 bribe to clear container. That person was charged to Court.
“Last month, we also caught a container full of tramadol, but what they declared in the container was ’okrika clothes” (second hand clothing)
Our work is to prevent crimes and investigate them. However, we hear you and we are ready to work with you. But you cannot continue to work with rumours that Police are collecting bribes on containers on blocked containers, if you have your facts and evidence come to us or write a petition to the office of the AIG and include the officer’s name, if nothing is done, it doesn’t stop at the office of the AIG, you can escalate it to Abuja for the IG or the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy” ASP Rasheed said
He instantly shunned allegations that Shippers’ Council is conniving with them as reported within the week by an online media.
”The Shippers Council have always come to our office gun blazing and fighting us on behalf of stakeholders about the matter of container blocking. The Shippers Council are not conniving, and there is no conspiracy anywhere. Every agency in the maritime sector are working together, but for the Police, we are for prevention of crimes and protection of lives and properties.
‘“When there is intelligence at our disposal about a particular shipment, it is important that we follow up. Most times, the intelligence is generated by our men you see at the ports for examination. At that point of examination, the lead agency is the Customs, the Anti-bomb squad are also attached to the maritime police, NAFDAC, Immigration, NDLEA, Quarantine are all there during the examination, but it is not in their powers at that point of examination to stop the container, but our men give us a feedback on such containers.
Commenting on alleged delays in getting containers released after police investigation, he lamented that sometimes, when a container is certified okay and released by the Police, it takes four days for the releasing officers of the shipping companies to act on it.
He said that some of the shipping companies prefer that the police write them through the Shippers Council and that is why some of the letters for blockage of containers is routed through the Council, not that the Council is conniving with the Police.
The Maritime Police Command image maker however tasked stakeholders to report cases of extortion by any officer to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Command.
“We cannot stop blocking containers based on intelligence, unless there is an order, either from the President or from the Inspector General of Police” he said.
In a compelling response, Clarifying the roles of the Unit, the Head of Complaints Unit of the Council Dr. Bashir Ambi explained the processes and reminded the stakeholders that NSC Complaints handling is free, resolving all legitimate industry grievances promptly and at no cost to the public. was more pointed, expressing concern over the reputational damage being suffered by the Council as a result of unfiltered, unprofessional and unbalanced reportage concerning the routine complainants on ”Hold and Release” of units under investigation by the Police .
“I have been having sleepless nights because our reputation is being damaged. Let me state it clearly: the Complaints Unit of the NSC has never and will never collect a kobo for its services. Rather, we are constantly engaging and, in fact, confronting the Maritime Police over the issue of blocking containers that have already been cleared at the ports,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to resist paying unreceipted fees and to submit petitions with evidence through the Council for redress.
“We are dedicated to ensuring prompt recovery for all stakeholders, including service providers and consumers alike.” Regarding a recent claim of a ₦2M cargo charge, Dr. Ambi clarified that the issue involves a specific de-consolidating company and is entirely unrelated to the Maritime Police. An investigation was launched immediately this morning. To resolve this and other legitimate industry infractions, a tripartite meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 22, 2025. Stakeholders are encouraged to verify details with the original complainant as we work toward a swift resolution.
‘’For optimal cost-effectiveness and reduced operational stress, we recommend that cargo exceeding 12–13 CBM be processed via standard containers (“boxes”). While we continue to address grievances regarding Groupage charges for loads exceeding 34 CBM, the NSC remains steadfast in its commitment to fair industry practices and transparency. Truthful declaration is very important in this chain‘’
Dr. Ambi concluded with the concept of Mass Media integrity where he disseminated a strong appeal to the “fourth estate,” urging journalists to reject “Casino Journalism”—a profit-driven model that favour’s sensationalism over factual truth. Drawing on his expertise in mass communication, he called for reporting rooted in objectivity and fairness devoid of what transpired this week.
The meeting was attended by critical stakeholders like, Customs representative, the Chairman of Apapa Chapter of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Chief Emeka Chukwumalu who condemn the blocking of containers by the Maritime Police, stating that the Police must be ready to bear the accrued cost,
Chairman of National Council of Managing Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents at PTML Terminal, Abayomi Duyile, who alleged that Shipping Companies aided the Maritime Police by releasing cargo manifests to them, but both the shipping companies and the police denied. Police maintained ” We gather intelligence on all cargoes, I can never tell you how we achieve that”
In attendance at the meeting were Chief Remi Ogungbemi, President of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Sanni Bala Mohammed, General Secretary, Dominic Chukwuemeka, Secretary of Joint Association of freight forwarders, among others.
There was robust questions and answers sessions during the meeting.
