By Joshua Yousouph
The Maritime Police Command says it has participated in a two-day Lagos Port Corridor Clean-Up and Enforcement Exercise aimed at restoring order, improving security, and enhancing operational efficiency within the nation’s port environment.
The exercise, held on May 14 and 15, 2026, was coordinated by the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu, in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Lagos State Government, and other security and regulatory agencies.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Maritime Police Command, ASP Adebayo Rasheed Adesayo, the Command deployed operational personnel and patrol teams to strategic areas within the Lagos Port corridor, particularly around Apapa and Tin Can Island Port.
The statement noted that the enforcement exercise focused on the removal of illegal checkpoints and unlawful obstructions hindering smooth port operations and vehicular movement within the corridor.
It added that the operation also targeted unauthorized maritime activities, port rats, street urchins, touts, thugs, criminal elements, and unlicensed operators whose activities pose security threats and disrupt sanity within the port environment.
The agencies also intensified efforts to curb unauthorized access into the ports by persons without legitimate business within the facilities, while ensuring compliance with existing security and access control measures.
Speaking on the exercise, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, commended the professionalism, discipline, and synergy demonstrated by participating officers and collaborating agencies during the operation.
She reiterated the Command’s commitment to supporting lawful initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime security, facilitating trade, reducing congestion, and promoting ease of doing business within Nigeria’s ports and waterways.
The Maritime Police Command further assured port users and stakeholders of its resolve to sustain collaborative efforts targeted at maintaining law and order and protecting critical national assets and economic infrastructure within the maritime domain.
The Command also urged members of the public, especially port users, to remain law-abiding and support security agencies with credible and timely information through appropriate channels, including the PEBEC complaint platforms, to aid ongoing enforcement and security operations.
