The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has debunked allegations that it is colluding with the Maritime Police to frustrate importers, while confirming that it has approved planned increases in charges for shipping companies in Nigeria.
The Council, however, tasked shipping companies to sensitise their customers before effecting the tariff adjustments.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at the NSC headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, Friday, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Pius Akutah, said that the Council as the Port Economic Regulator, was aware of the planned increases and sanctioned them after careful consideration.
“They have been asking for this review since the beginning of 2025,” Akutah said, represented at the meeting by Director of Regulatory Services, Mrs. Margaret Ogbonna. “We have been appealing to them to step it down because last year, there were inflationary pressures, foreign exchange fluctuations, and other challenges, but they are working within our environment.”
The Council also disclosed plans to review charges for the ETO electronic call-up system operated by Truck Transit Park (TTP)Limited in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), signaling a continued focus on regulatory oversight and fair pricing.
Maritime Police: Interceptions Are Intelligence-Driven
While addressing concerns over blocked containers, ASP Adebayo Rasheed, Public Relations Officer of the Maritime Police Command, defended the interception of containers, noting that these operations are intelligence-driven.
“We intercepted a container laden with arms and another with tramadol, even though they had already gone through all clearance processes at the Lagos ports,” Rasheed said.
“Blocking of containers cannot be stopped because national security takes precedence over trade facilitation. However, stakeholders with evidence of extortion should report to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Command”.
He also debunked claims that the Shippers’ Council colludes with the Police to extort clearing agents. “The Council has always been at the forefront of protecting port stakeholders’ rights”, he stated.
Shippers’ Council Denies Collusion, Promises Protection of Stakeholders
Akutah reiterated that the Council’s engagement with the Police is strictly to enhance cargo security.
His words: “Our attention was drawn to a report that says we are conniving with the Maritime Police, and we said No, we cannot do that.
“We work together with the Police to ensure the safety of your cargoes. We are not complicating issues for you, nor are we putting additional costs on your business. Our complaints unit is always active, and many issues raised by stakeholders are promptly resolved”.
He urged importers, clearing agents, and freight forwarders to submit formal petitions with evidence for any extortion or undue demands.
“We cannot force the Police to stop blocking containers based on intelligence because of the level of insecurity in the country”, Ogbonna buttressed.
“However, nobody should pay unreceipted fees. Do not pay any amount to the Police; submit petitions through the Shippers’ Council”.
Stakeholders Raise Concerns Over Post-Clearance Interceptions
Several stakeholders condemned the practice of blocking already cleared cargo, arguing that it undermines trade facilitation, creates avoidable costs, and damages Nigeria’s port reputation.
Chairman of Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, called on the Police to bear the cost of demurrages when containers are blocked after clearance.
Chairman of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents at PTML Terminal, Abayomi Duyile, accused shipping companies of illegally providing cargo manifests to the Police, contrary to international best practices.
President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, and the General Secretary, Sanni Bala Mohammed, joined by the Secretary of Joint Association of Freight Forwarders, Dominic Chukwuemeka, echoed concerns that post-clearance interception disrupts port operations and shifts inefficiencies to importers.
General Manager of Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), Mr. Babatunde Keshiro, called the interception of cleared cargo a practice of parallel authority, noting that an executive order in 2022 directed that such interceptions should stop.
Stakeholders revealed that blocked containers attract illegal payments ranging from N200,000 to N400,000 per 20ft container, while importers pay additional charges to avoid demurrage and storage penalties.
Investigations Led to NSC-Police Partnership
An undercover investigation by the Publisher of Kings Communications Limited, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke,
highlighted the payment of N50 million to the Police by a Lebanese company over classified goods. The investigation prompted the NSC to partner the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and culminated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Police, aimed at ending the interception of already cleared cargo.
NSC Reaffirms Commitment to Stakeholders
Akutah firmly denied any collusion between the Council and the Police, stating: “Our role is not to complicate your business or impose additional costs. We work with the Police to secure cargoes, but we also intervene when stakeholders complain, and many of such complaints are promptly resolved.”
Head of the Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi, reinforced the Council’s integrity:
“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.
“We constantly engage and confront the Maritime Police over the issue of blocking containers already cleared at the ports”.
The NSC’s stakeholders’ meeting clarified its position on shipping tariff increases, container blockage, and Police interventions. The Council emphasised that trade facilitation and national security can coexist, provided there is transparency, documentation, and active engagement with port stakeholders.
The message is clear: the Shippers’ Council does not collude with the Police, it protects the interests of importers, and stakeholders should report any illegal or unreceipted charges to ensure accountability.