By Joshua Yousouph
Investigations by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the Western Ports Authority Police Command arrested no fewer than 118 suspects and investigated property losses valued at over N689 million across Nigeria’s port corridors in 2025.
A comprehensive analysis of crime statistics exclusively obtained by our correspondent from the Ports Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Western Command, covering January to December 2025, shows sustained enforcement efforts by the Command, alongside persistent challenges in recovery and prosecution.
Within the period under review, the Command recorded a total of 90 criminal cases, leading to 118 arrests. However, while enforcement activities remained consistent, the value of recovered items lagged significantly behind losses, with just about N21 million recovered in the year.
A breakdown of the figures indicates that in the first two months of 2025, the Command recorded 17 cases and arrested 32 suspects, with property losses valued at N128.9 million. Recoveries during the period stood at N11.05 million, while no convictions were secured until February, when one suspect was successfully prosecuted.
Between March and June, the Command handled 22 cases and arrested 23 suspects, while investigating losses totaling over N221 million. Notably, no recoveries were recorded within the period, despite rising incidents, particularly in June, which alone accounted for over N172 million in losses.
Operations intensified in the third quarter (July to September), with 28 cases recorded and 29 suspects arrested. The Command also secured 10 convictions within the period, while losses stood at N152.6 million. Despite improved prosecution outcomes, there were still no recoveries reported during the quarter.
In the final quarter of the year, 23 cases involving 34 suspects were recorded, with losses estimated at N186 million. The Command recorded its highest conviction rate within the period, securing 19 convictions, while N10 million was recovered from stolen property.
Cumulatively, the figures reveal a troubling loss profile of approximately N689.5 million linked to criminal activities within port environments in 2025, raising concerns among stakeholders about the economic impact of port-related crimes.
Further analysis shows that while arrests remained high, translating enforcement efforts into convictions and recoveries continues to pose a challenge. Out of the 118 suspects arrested during the year, a significant number were charged to court, but many cases remained under investigation or pending trial at various stages.
Across all reporting periods, the Command maintained that no court delays were caused by police prosecutors or defence counsel, attributing adjournments solely to the judicial system.
Despite the challenges, the Western Ports Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime security through intelligence-led operations, improved stakeholder collaboration, and enhanced prosecution processes.
