NAGAFF Threatens Indefinite Strike Over Maritime Police Harassment

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced plans to withdraw services indefinitely from August 31, 2026, citing alleged harassment and extortion by Maritime Police at Nigerian ports.

According to the group’s 100% Compliance Team, freight forwarders face unlawful arrests, intimidation, and container blockages that increase costs and delay cargo clearance. NAGAFF insists the actions violate the Nigeria Police Act, Customs Service Act, and the government’s Ease of Doing Business reforms.

The association has demanded an emergency meeting with port stakeholders to clarify the role of Maritime Police and end what it describes as “systemic intimidation.” If unresolved, the strike could disrupt supply chains, raise consumer prices, and undermine port efficiency nationwide.

In a letter dated August 2026 and addressed to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the group demanded urgent intervention to halt what it described as persistent obstruction of legitimate port operations. The letter, signed by National Coordinator Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, alleged that freight forwarders, licensed customs agents, transporters, and other logistics operators have suffered verbal abuse, unlawful detention, seizure of documents, and disruption of supply chains linked to Maritime Police activities.

NAGAFF noted that previous complaints had failed to yield results, despite the negative impact on trade facilitation and business operations. It argued that the alleged conduct contravenes several legal and regulatory frameworks, including:
– Nigeria Police Act 2020
– Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000
– Nigerian Ports Authority Act
– Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023
– 1999 Constitution provisions on dignity, liberty, and lawful business conduct

The association also referenced the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business Executive Orders and the National Action Plan on Business Environment Reforms, stressing that harassment undermines efforts to create a more efficient and business-friendly port system.

NAGAFF urged the NPA Managing Director to convene an emergency meeting involving the Maritime Police, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, shipping lines, terminal operators, and bonded terminals to seek immediate resolution. It also called for clarity on the functions of the Maritime Police and the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports, to prevent further conflict and disruption.

“We cannot take it anymore,” the group warned, insisting that the strike would commence on August 31 if the issues were not addressed.

Copies of the letter were sent to shipping lines, terminal operators, bonded terminals, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (Zone A), the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Maritime, the Commissioner of Police (Western Ports), NAGAFF leadership, and other industry associations.

If implemented, the strike could severely disrupt port activities, compounding challenges in Nigeria’s maritime sector at a time when government agencies and industry stakeholders are working to improve trade facilitation and reduce bottlenecks.