Driven by a mandate to optimize port logistics, the Maritime Police Command, Headquarters Annex, Lagos actively participated in the inter-agency Lagos Port Corridor Clean-Up and Enforcement Exercise on May 14–15, 2026.
The exercise was led by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Okunade Ronke Nurat, the command’s involvement targets the critical bottlenecks of extortion and traffic congestion. This strategic enforcement ensures cargo flows freely while significantly boosting security and operational efficiency.
The enforcement operation was announced on Saturday, May 16, by ASP Adebayo Rasheed Adebayo, Public Relations Officer for the Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos. Coordinated by PEBEC Director-General Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu, the massive crackdown relies on a powerful coalition of key stakeholders. These include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos State Government, and critical security agencies working in lockstep.
Elaborating on the deployment, ASP Adebayo stated:
“In line with its statutory mandate of ensuring safety and security within the nation’s maritime domain, the Maritime Police Command deployed operational personnel and patrol teams across strategic locations within the Lagos Port corridor, particularly around Apapa and Tin Can Island Port environments.”
He revealed that the joint task force moved swiftly against local syndicates and illegal bottlenecks during the two-day clampdown.
“During the exercise, the Committee carried out the removal of illegal checkpoints and other unlawful obstructions capable of impeding port operations and free movement within the corridor,” Adebayo added.
“The operation also targeted unauthorized maritime activities, port rats, street urchins, touts, thugs, criminal elements, and unlicensed operators whose activities constitute security threats and undermine sanity within the port environment. Efforts were equally intensified to curb unauthorized entry into the ports by persons with no legitimate business within the port facilities, while ensuring strict compliance with extant security and access control measures.”
Reacting to the development, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, “commended the professionalism, discipline, and synergy displayed by participating officers and collaborating agencies throughout the operation.”
According to the statement,
“The AIG Maritime further reiterated the Command’s commitment to supporting all lawful initiatives geared towards enhancing maritime security, facilitating trade, reducing congestion, and promoting ease of doing business within Nigeria’s ports and waterways.”
While issuing a strong guarantee to port users, she added that,
“The Maritime Police Command assures members of the public, port users, and stakeholders of its continuous resolve to maintain law and order within the maritime environment and to sustain collaborative efforts aimed at protecting critical national assets and economic infrastructure.”
Authorities are calling on the public and port operators to back the ongoing crackdown. Port users are urged to obey the law and report illegal activities or extortion attempts immediately. Timely intelligence can be submitted directly through official security channels and PEBEC complaint platforms to help sustain order along the corridor.
