Save Our Businesses From Extortionists, AMATO Urges Maritime Police, Army, Navy
By KEMI KASUMU
Some of the people who were interviewed but did not want to be quoted claimed that further investigations revealed that some unnamed soldiers and non-state actors were allegedly backing the activities. This position was, however, countered by a source who said, “In all honesty, the matter of extortions among that corridor of Alakija-Agbara route is beyond unknown soldiers but strictly with the hands of politicians in government.”
The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has raised the alarm over alleged extortion and harassment of maritime operators along the Alakija–Agbara axis of the Lagos-Badagry Road in Lagos State, urging the Maritime Police Command (MPC), the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy to urgently intervene.
AMATO said the alleged activities of extortionists have created an increasingly hostile environment for legitimate business owners and pose a threat to the survival of maritime-related businesses operating along the corridor.
The association called on the security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement across the affected areas, stressing that truck owners and other operators should be allowed to conduct their businesses without intimidation, illegal levies or harassment.
According to AMATO, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force recently escorted their executive committee members on an on-the-spot visit of the area for fact-checking and arrested some suspected touts allegedly involved in the extortion.
Some of the people who were interviewed but did not want to be quoted claimed that further investigations revealed that some unnamed soldiers and non-state actors were allegedly backing the activities. This position was, however, countered by a source who said, “In all honesty, the matter of extortions among that corridor of Alakija-Agbara route is beyond unknown soldiers but strictly with the hands of politicians in government.”
During the visit of Police operatives to the area, some of the suspected criminal elements were allegedly heard boasting that they were untouchable, using the expression, “Awa Ijoba lawa nibi,” meaning and suggesting that they had backing of the government and could not be challenged.
This tallied with the submission of the source linking the extortionist activities to politicians in government and that there is little or nothing the police or maritime police command can do about it, considering the fact that after the last arrested by the police, the touts have since resumed the activities along the route.
The alleged claim of impunity was seemingly reinforced when our reporters, who visited some of the affected points over the weekend, including Alakija, Okokomaiko, Iyana-Iba, Iyana-Isashi and Agbara, reportedly witnessed what appeared to be extortion activities.
The maritime truck operators warned that the continued alleged harassment and extortion of business owners could have far-reaching consequences for the maritime sector, particularly at a time when the government is seeking to improve the ease of doing business and strengthen Nigeria’s port and logistics ecosystem.
The association urged the Maritime Police Command, the Army and the Navy to investigate the allegations thoroughly, identify those allegedly responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
AMATO also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies and maritime stakeholders to restore confidence and ensure that the Alakija-Agbara corridor remains safe for legitimate businesses.
The association said it remained committed to supporting government efforts to build a transparent, secure and efficient maritime industry, but stressed that such efforts could only succeed if business owners were adequately protected from criminal elements.
“Save our businesses from extortionists,” the association appealed, urging the security authorities to act swiftly before the situation causes greater damage to operators, investors and the wider maritime economy.
AMATO expressed confidence that decisive intervention by the relevant authorities would help restore order, protect livelihoods and create a more conducive environment for maritime businesses to thrive.
As at the time of filing this report, efforts by our reporter to get appropriate authorities to react to the development were unsuccessful.
