Daily Extortion in Lagos as truck operators navigating the Lagos seaports have unveiled a disconcerting revelation, shedding light on the enormous financial burden they face daily due to bribery and illegal taxation within the transport corridor. These operators disclosed that they collectively shell out a staggering sum of approximately N40 million every day, attributing these extortion practices to a network of both state and non-state actors.
An anonymous source within the Council for Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) exposed these illicit activities to Vanguard, a reputable news outlet. According to the source, the average daily expenditure per truck stands at around N38,500. Astoundingly, COMTUA members oversee the movement of over 1,000 trucks through the ports each day.
The breakdown of these extorted funds is as follows: N3,000 is extracted at the Tin-Can First Gate roundabout, with an additional N2,000 billed as a waybill fee purportedly collected by individuals affiliated with the Apapa Local Government Area—a claim strenuously denied by the Council. The Nigeria Customs Service, stationed inside the port, reportedly demands N5,000, while a separate group of Customs personnel stationed at the Customs exit gate seeks N1,000.
Further allegations include N500, referred to as a warehouse fee, and a N2,000 charge designated as the Cutting of Seal fee. An alleged N4,000 is funneled to certain operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Truck drivers are also compelled to pay N4,000 to another unspecified local council, along with N1,000 for a ‘small paper’ fee enforced by agents connected to a prominent Lagos political figure. Additionally, drivers are burdened with a N3,000 confirmation fee, a N2,000 gate pass fee, and a N1,000 security fee, all payable within the port. There is also a N2,000 scaling fee, a N1,000 security fee, and a N4,000 container dropping fee.
Daily Extortion in Lagos Several truck owners, have exhaustively sought government intervention to no avail. Expressing his frustration, Mr. Richard Odoka, a truck owner, emphasized that trucks transporting export cargoes bear the brunt of these extortionate practices. Odoka noted that approximately 1,000 trucks of various types access ports such as Tin-Can Island Port, Port and Cargo Terminal ‘C,’ Joseph Dam Terminal, and Five Logistics Terminal.
The President of COMTUA, Mr. Yinka Aroyewun, vehemently condemned the escalating extortion levels, deeming them reprehensible. Aroyewun elaborated on the grim situation, stating, “There are 20 extortion points between Tin-Can first gate and the point at which you off-load your empty containers or drop your export cargoes. From N1,000 to N2,000 to N3,000 to N5,000 are collected by agencies of government.”
These grave allegations, Mr. Dele Afose, Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, denied the Council’s involvement in collecting money through proxies. He expressed shock at the accusations, affirming that the Local Government had not deployed any personnel for such activities. The revelations have stirred concerns about the prevalence of corruption and illegal taxation within the Lagos seaports, calling for immediate action to rectify this deeply entrenched issue.
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