The Maritime Police Command has intensified security operations across the Lagos Port corridor following a major clean up and enforcement exercise coordinated by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council aimed at restoring sanity within Nigeria’s busiest maritime hubs.
The operation, conducted on May 14 and 15, brought together several government agencies and security institutions in a renewed push to tackle congestion, criminal activities and operational disruptions around the Apapa and Tin-Can Island port corridors in Lagos.
The exercise was coordinated by Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu, Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Lagos State Government and other regulatory and security agencies.
Leading the Maritime Police delegation, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat deployed operational teams and patrol units to strategic areas within the Lagos Port environment as part of efforts to strengthen security and improve traffic flow around the ports.
Security operatives dismantled illegal checkpoints and removed unlawful barricades identified as major impediments to smooth port operations and movement of cargo within the corridor.
The enforcement operation also targeted suspected criminal networks operating within the port environment, including touts, street urchins, port rats, unauthorised operators and other individuals accused of undermining security and disrupting commercial activities.
Authorities further intensified measures against unauthorised access into the ports, insisting on stricter compliance with security regulations and access control procedures for all port users and operators.
The Maritime Police Command said the exercise formed part of broader efforts to improve maritime security, reduce bottlenecks affecting trade and support the federal government’s ease of doing business agenda across Nigeria’s ports and waterways.
AIG Okunade commended officers and collaborating agencies for what she described as a high level of professionalism, discipline and inter agency cooperation displayed throughout the operation.
The Command assured stakeholders, freight operators and residents that enforcement activities would continue across the maritime corridor to protect critical national assets, sustain order within the ports and guarantee safer business operations in the nation’s maritime sector.