The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has issued a firm warning to freight forwarders and Customs agents against any actions that could disrupt port activities, following mounting tensions over increased shipping charges.
At a meeting held on Tuesday with key industry players and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), police authorities made it clear that maintaining order and ensuring the smooth flow of operations across the nation’s ports remains non-negotiable. Representatives from major freight forwarding bodies, including the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), were present as discussions centred on preserving stability within the sector.
Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja, cautioned stakeholders against resorting to protests, picketing or any form of disruption that could cripple port activities. She urged all parties to prioritise dialogue over confrontation, stressing that the ports are a vital artery of Nigeria’s economy and must be protected from avoidable shutdowns.
Agbaminoja underscored the far-reaching consequences of any disruption, warning that it would ripple across supply chains, trade flows and national revenue. While acknowledging the concerns raised by freight forwarders over rising shipping costs, she assured them that their grievances would be addressed through appropriate channels in collaboration with relevant government agencies, particularly the NSC as the port economic regulator.
She further called for sustained engagement, mutual respect and cooperation among all stakeholders to safeguard industrial harmony and keep the sector functioning efficiently.
Industry representatives at the meeting welcomed the intervention of the police, describing it as timely and necessary. They agreed to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes and to place national economic interest above sectional concerns.
Reaffirming its stance, the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command pledged to uphold law and order across all port facilities, including terminals, jetties and inland depots, while continuing to support lawful efforts aimed at boosting efficiency, easing trade and strengthening investor confidence.