The National Executive Council of the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has accused the Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Operations Committee (LASTCOC) of disregarding a resolution to stop mounting illegal checkpoints and collecting levies along the Lagos port access corridor. This was disclosed by COMTUA's National President, Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun, on October 3, 2026.
According to Aroyewun, a peace meeting was convened by the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command, and attended by representatives of COMTUA and LASTCOC, alongside other stakeholders. The meeting aimed to address operational challenges affecting movement and logistics around the ports. The stakeholders agreed that no union, association, or committee should conduct its activities, establish checkpoints, or collect levies along the port corridor.
The agreed-upon port corridor includes Coconut, Tin Can, Apapa, and Mile 2, as well as the Ijora-Apapa route. Aroyewun stated that it was clearly agreed and directed that no union, association, or committee is permitted to conduct any business, mount checkpoints, or collect levies on the port corridor. However, LASTCOC operatives allegedly returned to the routes less than 24 hours after the agreement was reached and resumed what COMTUA described as illegal toll collection, extortion, and harassment of truckers.
COMTUA alleged that LASTCOC's actions amounted to a violation of the agreement reached in the presence of police authorities. The union also noted that the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Nigerian Shippers' Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, and other Federal Government agencies had previously opposed toll collection along port access roads. This suggested that LASTCOC was operating outside the law, according to COMTUA.
COMTUA advised truckers and its members not to pay levies or purchase tickets at what it described as illegal checkpoints. The union warned that continued alleged extortion and obstruction of the port corridor could trigger tension among truckers and disrupt activities around the ports. Aroyewun stated that every payment encourages the alleged extortion.
The union called on security agencies to intervene urgently to prevent a breakdown of law and order and protect economic activities around the country's major seaports. COMTUA specifically urged the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command, to enforce the resolutions reached at the meeting, dismantle LASTCOC checkpoints along the port corridor, and prosecute anyone found to have violated the directive.
COMTUA remains committed to the peace and economic growth of the ports but will not allow any illegal committee to turn the port road into a toll gate. The union's president emphasized that enough is enough, and they will not tolerate the alleged extortion and harassment of truckers. The situation may lead to a total breakdown of law and order and a breach of public peace on the port corridor if not addressed.
Key points
- - The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has accused LASTCOC of disregarding a resolution to stop mounting illegal checkpoints and collecting levies along the Lagos port access corridor. - The alleged actions of LASTCOC amount to a violation of the agreement reached in the presence of police authorities. - COMTUA has called on security agencies to intervene urgently to prevent a breakdown of law and order and protect economic activities around the country's major seaports.
