Nigeria’s maritime transport sector is on the brink of a major shutdown as key transport unions threaten to withdraw services over alleged extortion, harassment, and abuse of power by Lagos State taskforce.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), under the Nigerian Maritime Alliance (NMA), have issued a three-day ultimatum to the Lagos State government, demanding the disbandment of two controversial state committees and the immediate release of all impounded trucks.
According to the unions, the Lagos State Committee on Removal of Abandoned Vehicles and the Special Traffic Management Committee in Apapa have engaged in arbitrary truck seizures, extortion, and violent intimidation tactics, crippling port operations and inflicting massive financial losses on transport operators and importers.
In a strongly worded communiqué issued after an emergency meeting at MWUN headquarters, the unions accused the committees of imposing exorbitant fines of ₦200,000 to ₦400,000 per impounded truck, often funneled into private accounts rather than official government channels.
The crisis escalated on February 20, 2025, when committee operatives, allegedly accompanied by street thugs, violently attacked haulage truck owners and drivers along the Apapa Port Road, leaving one victim hospitalized with serious injuries.
Another incident on February 23 saw the hijacking of over 100 trucks at Unity Bonded Terminal, which were falsely labeled as abandoned.“These committees have deviated from their original mandate of easing traffic congestion.
Instead, they are now engaging in extortion and acts of sabotage that are disrupting the ease of doing business, crippling port activities, and causing severe losses to truckers, importers, and exporters,” the communiqué stated.
The unions further warned that the committees’ actions have created bottlenecks along the Apapa Port access roads and Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, delaying cargo movement and forcing many factories to suspend operations due to supply chain disruptions.
“It appears there is a deliberate attempt to cripple the haulage sector, despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s GDP and Lagos State’s economy,” the unions declared.
With the ultimatum expiring on February 26, 2025, the unions have vowed to shut down port operations across Lagos if their demands are not met.
“If the Lagos State government fails to disband these committees and release our trucks, we will have no choice but to withdraw our services nationwide. Enough is enough!” the unions warned.
The looming strike could paralyze Nigeria’s busiest ports, disrupt supply chains, and trigger nationwide economic fallout, putting immense pressure on the Lagos State government to act swiftly.
About the Author
