By Joshua Yousouph
Concerned members of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have petitioned the Inspector General of Police over alleged unlawful interference, extortion, and blockage of legitimately cleared cargoes by officers of the Maritime Police Command at the nation’s seaports.
The customs agents and port stakeholders, in an open letter addressed to the National President and National Executive Committee (NECOM) of ANLCA, accused the Maritime Police of obstructing the cargo clearance process despite consignments having been duly processed and released by the Nigeria Customs Service.
The petition, dated May 6, 2026 and signed by High Chief John A. Ofobike (Dankatsina), described the situation as a growing threat to trade facilitation and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.
According to the petitioners, containers accompanied by valid Single Goods Declaration (SGD), duty payment receipts, and Customs Release Orders are allegedly being stopped at Terminal Delivery Order processing points, shipping companies, and bonded terminals by Maritime Police officers.
The stakeholders alleged that importers and licensed customs agents are subjected to prolonged delays, repeated documentation checks, and monetary demands before the release of their consignments.
They maintained that the actions of the Maritime Police violate the Federal Government’s 48-hour cargo clearance directive and undermine the statutory role of the Nigeria Customs Service as the lead agency at the ports.
The petitioners further lamented that the alleged interference has resulted in huge demurrage and storage charges running into millions of naira, thereby placing additional financial pressure on importers and freight forwarders.
They warned that many small and medium-scale importers are gradually being forced out of business due to avoidable delays and rising operational costs linked to the activities of security agencies at the ports.
The customs agents also expressed concern over what they described as institutionalized corruption within the cargo clearance system, alleging that the phrase “investigation activity for fraud” is frequently used as justification to detain already cleared goods.
According to them, the continued practice is damaging Nigeria’s image as a trade destination and discouraging local and foreign investment.
The stakeholders called on ANLCA NECOM to urgently engage the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Inspector General of Police and the Assistant Inspector General in charge of the Maritime Command, to stop what they termed unlawful interference in legitimate port operations.
They also urged ANLCA to push for a clear delineation of responsibilities between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Maritime Police in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Police Act 2020.
In addition, the petitioners requested the establishment of a joint task force committee comprising the Customs, Police, and other port stakeholders to investigate and discipline erring officers.
They further appealed to ANLCA to publicly condemn the alleged practice and escalate the matter to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and relevant committees of the National Assembly.
The stakeholders maintained that the constitutional duty of the Maritime Police is to provide security and protect port infrastructure, and not to duplicate the functions of the Nigeria Customs Service or obstruct legitimate trade activities.
They warned that failure to address the issue could further increase the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports and ultimately lead to higher prices of goods for consumers.
