Clearing Agents Accuse Maritime Police Command of Impeding Trade Flow

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Port users in the freight industry including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has raised alarm over what it describes as persistent and unnecessary interference by the Maritime Police Command in cargo clearance processes at Nigerian ports.

This medium gathered that in a recent incident on 4 December 2025, a container carrying IDEC-related content was put on hold by Hapag-Lloyd following directives from the Maritime Police, reportedly prompting urgent intervention from ANLCA leadership. Top sources within the association argue that these actions undermine established port protocols and delay legitimate trade, with ripple effects on costs, confidence, and logistics for consignees and customs brokers.

This is even as a section of the customs brokers say the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), which regulates shipping companies and terminal operators, has been unwilling to reject such police detention orders, often citing security concerns even though Nigerian Customs Service, the Port Authority Police Command, and other relevant agencies of government already conducted 100% physical examinations before the releases.

Complainants contend that sane atmosphere, any intelligence gathered by the Maritime Police should be shared with agencies operating inside the ports rather than deploying such to halt cargo movement after clearance, especially without transparent investigative procedures or reports.

Stakeholders report that detentions frequently result in prolonged holds and spiraling demurrage and storage charges, compounding financial strain on businesses. In a petition by ANLCA sighted by this reporter, the association is calling for an expanded stakeholder meeting involving the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Port Authority Police Command to address the issue and commit to a communiqué ending such twisted   and unwarranted interventions.

The group insists that trade facilitation will remain hollow unless decade-long practices of off-port interference cease and intelligence sharing is channeled through the proper port-based mechanisms.