Freight forwarders have threatened to shut down seaports in Lagos State over alleged N1 million extortion and illegal container seizures by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) 100 per cent Compliance Team accused officers from the Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, of indiscriminate seizures and arrest of containers at the ports.

In a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Police Headquarters, the freight forwarders decried what they described as an alarming rate of extortion, reaching N1 million per container.

According to a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the NAGAFF Compliance Team, Ibrahim Tanko, freight forwarders are allegedly being routinely harassed and extorted by police officers and other regulatory agencies at the ports. He also alleged that the officers demand bribes from importers and freight forwarders before releasing their containers.

The group stated that these actions always delay the timely clearance of containers, resulting in increased costs, revenue losses and economic setbacks for the government.

The freight forwarders, therefore, vowed to stage a protest and potentially shut down operations at the seaports if authorities fail to address their concerns urgently.

The compliance team also urged the Assistant Inspector-General of Police to intervene and curb the activities of Zone 2 officers. The team, however, called for collaboration with the AIG of Zone 2 to resolve the issue swiftly.

It further reminded the police of an existing circular that allegedly prohibits any police department, other than the Maritime Police, from interfering in maritime-related matters.