By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the PTML off-dock terminal along the Mile 2 axis on the Apapa Oshodi expressway has become a den of terror where hoodlums wielding dangerous weapons extort money from imported vehicle owners and truck drivers exiting the terminals.
These hoodlums, who are typically between the ages of 16 and 28, operate brazenly in the presence of indifferent law enforcement officers.
Our correspondent who visited the Mile 2/PTML terminal on the expressway from Tin Can port, noted the alarming situation, while he also spoke to several victims who shared their harrowing experiences.
Upon arrival, our correspondent observed that the scene was chaotic with groups of young men, openly smoking weed and brandishing large sticks, loitering near the exit gates, ready to ambush unsuspecting drivers.
These hoodlums demand money from drivers, threatening to damage their vehicles or remove vital parts, such as wipers and fuel tank covers if their demands were not met. Shockingly, our correspondent noted that these acts of extortion occur right under the noses of police officers who remain passive observers.
In a chat with one of the drivers who simply identified himself as Jide Jendol, a driver who helps importers to transport their vehicles, shared his ordeal: “This is what we pass through. I help people bring out their cars and drive them to their destination, but we suffer a great deal from boys who are barely the age of our lastborn, threatening to deal with us, if we refuse to give them money.
“Most times, you can see more than 20 of them coming to flood your car as soon as they see it is a new car or a tokunbo vehicle without a plate number, either coming out of PTML here at Mile 2 or coming from Tin Can”.
Narating their ordeal further, he added that, “as soon as you get to Mile 2, you will see boys numbering over 20 with each of them demanding money from you. The least you can give to one is N200; multiply that by 20 or 25, and then multiply by the total number of vehicles that exit the port daily, so we are losing a lot of money to these jobless boys”.
Also, a truck driver who simply gave his name as Clement, lamented the hazardous conditions drivers endure. “It is a nightmare. The government needs to tackle this issue urgently. These boys are not just extorting money; they are endangering lives. Just last week, a fellow driver died while trying to avoid these boys. His container fell, crushing him to death” he recalled emotionally
Checks by Shipping Position Daily reveal that the financial toll of these extortion activities is staggering. Imported vehicle owners and truck drivers collectively lose approximately N850,000 daily, amounting to over N25 million monthly.
This represents a significant economic drain, not just for the individuals directly affected, but also for the broader logistics and transportation industry.
When our correspondent attempted to question one of the hoodlums about their operations and affiliations, the response was chilling. One of the boys walked away, while another, from across the road, shouted, “If you want to know who we work for, go to the local government.” When pressed further for details, the boy, who appeared to be less than 21 years old, threatened our correspondent with the stick he was holding.
In a chat with Mr Mohammed Bala, General Secretary Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO) he said “the dire situation at Mile 2 calls for immediate intervention from the authorities. The blatant extortion, violence, and apparent complicity or negligence of law enforcement officers must be addressed to ensure the safety and security of drivers. As the government works on broader infrastructural and economic plans, addressing these immediate security concerns is crucial. Ensuring that truck drivers can carry out their legitimate businesses without fear of extortion or violence is fundamental to maintaining trust in the port systems and supporting the country’s economic stability.
“The activities of port predators at the PTML terminal at Mile 2 is a pressing security and economic issue that demands urgent attention. it is imperative for the relevant authorities to take decisive action to restore order, protect lives, and safeguard economic interests at one of Nigeria’s key logistical hubs”, he lamented.
