Maritime Agencies
DETENTION OF EXITED CONTAINERS: Freight Forwarders Set To Cripple Port Operations
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As officers of the Marine Police have persisted in illegal arrest and detention of containers already examined and released out of the ports by the Nigeria Customs Service, freight forwarders threaten a showdown, warning that they might be forced to embark on a massive protest that could cripple activities at Nigeria’s major seaports in Lagos.
Emeka Obinali, Vice Chairman, Apapa Chapter of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) sounded the warning in Lagos while condemning officers of the Maritime Police who arrest and detain already-cleared and released containers and even detain the customs brokerage agents with a view to extorting money from them.
The freight forwarders group lamented that this anti-trade facilitation act from officers of the Marine Police is coming despite repeated protest letters NAGAFF sent to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (the ports Economic Regulator), the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and many other regulatory agencies of the government.
“What these Maritime Police officers do is to connive with shipping companies and we have identified LANSAL in this type of connivance. Through the shipping companies, they get access to the manifest and the container numbers. In some cases, they ask the shipping line that the affected container is on security watch list and it should be blocked.
It is recalled that some freight forwarders recently embarked on a peaceful march in Apapa and the seaports environs to protest what they described as criminal extortion by officers of the Maritime Police who illegally arrest and detain containers already cleared from the port with a view to extorting huge sums of money from the owners of the containers.
The freight forwarders say that as a container is blocked, the clearing agent naturally comes under intense pressure to get it released to avoid demurrage. Through this means, the police officers extort money from the freight forwarders that runs in several millions of naira. Sometimes, they even detain the agent and ask him to bail himself with huge sums of money.
Obinali said: “You can agree with me that this does not make for the 48-hour clearance of cargo, neither does it promote trade facilitation, a situation whereby Customs in conjunction with relevant and statutory government agencies would inspect cargo at the ports and release them only for Maritime Police officers to detain same cargo for no justifiable reason.
“We are tired of these extortions in our own fatherland; we have petitioned relevant government agencies and this has persisted. The only option left to us is to embark of a mega strike action that would cripple activities of the seaports so that Maritime Police would allow us to do our legitimate businesses. I have started discussions with other chapter Executive members and we are ready to fight this battle to liberate our members from these shackles of the Maritime Police”, Obinali assured.
Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the National Coordinator of the NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, Comrade Sunday Sylvester, who also bemoaned this ugly trend, regretted that it was not in the best interest of the Nigerian economy.
He regretted that the direct implication is that the additional cost that arises from Police extortion is naturally passed down to the final consumers of the goods by the importers, who cannot afford to absorb such unnecessary and avoidable additional cost because they must remain in business.
Comrade Sylvester said: “It has become necessary and urgent for relevant government agencies to step in this matter. There is no place in the world where Customs would examine and release a consignment from the seaports only for the Police to wait for the same consignment on the way to seize and detain it in order to extort money from the owner.
On the massive showdown freight forwarders are contemplating, he said that the seaport industry cannot afford the effect of such a strike or service withdrawal because it will hurt the economy and, to a high extent, Nigerians, especially the poor masses, who would bear the brunt of additional cost associated with Police extortion. “This is why the authorities should urgently put a stop to this.”
However, the freight forwarders are concluding plans to send one more protest letter to the Port Commissioner of Police as a last warning, which would be followed by the mega protest if the situation persists.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime recently said that the Maritime Police would be overstepping their bounds if they intercept or block cargoes already cleared and released out of the ports by the Nigeria Customs Service.
He spoke through the agency’s Director of Regulatory Services, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezedinma at a recent event in Apapa.
“It will not be nice for the agencies to protect their territories. What we need is synergy,” he stated.
“The problem we have right now is that Customs is on one side and Police on the other side, and both of them are checking cargoes, which causes impediments and this is not good for trade.
“If Customs clears cargo, Police do not have the right or authority to detain the cargo. If the Police have intelligence on any cargo, they can follow it to the final destination and check it there since Police have access to everywhere, but not for them to congest our seaports or the access roads. We see these problems on a daily basis. All the agencies have their responsibilities cut out for them, so we should always interface with one another in order to harmonise and facilitate trade. By blocking or detaining already cleared containers, Police are not facilitating trade”, Jime further warned.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour 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/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoCHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoComptroller Anani Succeeds ACG Onyeka as Tincan Customs CAC, Pledges to Build on Lofty Achievements.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNew MARAN Leadership Set for Inauguration, June 23.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoPorts Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoCapt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.