By Joshua Yousouph
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have criticized what they describe as bureaucratic delays arising from cargo being flagged by the Maritime Police. They pointedly accuse the Police of causing prolonged clearance timelines and operational inefficiencies, even as the Police defend their practice as necessary for security and regulatory compliance.
The concerns were raised during a recent stakeholders’ forum organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Lagos, where freight forwarders and shipping operators highlighted recurring delays linked to “investigative holds” on containers by the Maritime Police.
Speaking on the issue, Chairman of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Tin Can Chapter, Mr. Akeem Ayobiojo, said that while previous engagements had addressed some operational challenges, concerns persist over delays linked to container interceptions.
Ayobiojo explained that freight forwarders have recently observed cases where containers are held through channels involving the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, leading to shipment delays and additional costs. He emphasized the need for more streamlined processes to avoid disruptions in cargo clearance and financial losses.
“We have been fighting this issue of Maritime Police interference for a while and made some progress, but recently we’ve observed that containers are now being blocked through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, leading to delays and damages to shipments,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Boma Alabi SAN, said shipping companies have continued to receive multiple directives relating to container holding for investigation purposes. She noted that while such checks fall within the mandate of security agencies, their frequency and handling sometimes create operational pressure.
Alabi explained that containers placed on hold are taken out of circulation, affecting equipment turnaround and the ability of shipping lines to meet service demands. She called for clearer guidelines and faster resolution timelines to minimize the impact on port operations.
“What we get from our members is that containers are picked at random from the manifest and placed on hold for investigation, and this has become a major concern for operators.
Shipping lines are receiving multiple requests daily—sometimes as many as 15—and these holds affect operations because the containers are taken out of circulation. We do not want to charge demurrage, but when our boxes are tied down due to these issues, it impacts our ability to serve other customers,” she said.
Responding to the concerns, Head of the Complaints Unit at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Bashir Ambi, said the Council’s involvement is primarily to protect stakeholders and ensure fairness in the system.
He disclosed that the Council has an existing collaboration with the Maritime Police aimed at addressing complaints and facilitating the release of legitimately cleared cargo. Ambi reiterated that stakeholders should not make any payments in relation to containers being held by the Police, but should instead report issues through official channels for intervention.
“In all our engagements, we have made it clear that no stakeholder should pay any money. If there is an issue, bring it to the Council and we will intervene. We are collaborating with the Maritime Police to ensure fairness, but our priority is to make sure stakeholders are not unduly disadvantaged,” he said.
Providing further clarification on operational procedures, the Maritime Police Command spokesperson, Rasheed Adebayo, explained that its engagement with terminal operators varies across the port system.
He noted that while the Command relates directly with several operators, only a limited number—specifically APM Terminals and Maersk Line—operate under an arrangement where official correspondence is routed through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
According to him, this structure is not a creation of the Police but stems from a long-standing industry arrangement introduced around 2019 to streamline security operations and prevent multiple police units from issuing conflicting directives within the ports.
The Command, however, acknowledged stakeholder concerns over delays and disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, terminal operators, and shipping lines to review the process.
In its official response, the Maritime Police Command maintained that its actions are intelligence-driven and carried out strictly within its statutory mandate to prevent crime and safeguard maritime trade.
The Command emphasized that investigative holds are applied in cases involving suspected fraud, smuggling, or other infractions, and are guided by due process.
“Investigative holds on consignments are intelligence-driven and guided strictly by existing laws and operational procedures. The Command does not condone or tolerate any form of extortion or unprofessional conduct, and any proven case will be met with appropriate disciplinary action,” Adebayo noted.
