The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations, COMTUA, has accused the Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Operations Committee, LASTCOC, of returning to illegal checkpoints and collecting money from truckers along Lagos port roads.
COMTUA National President Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun made the allegation in a statement after a peace meeting between the two groups at the Western Ports Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
The meeting was convened by the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Command, following concerns over activities affecting truck movement around the ports.
Police had directed that no union, association or committee should mount checkpoints or collect levies, tolls or tickets along the port corridor.
COMTUA said the agreement covered routes from Coconut through Tin Can Island, Apapa and Mile 2, as well as Ijora to Apapa.
“Sadly, less than 24 hours after that agreement, LASTCOC operatives returned to the road this morning, mounted illegal roadblocks, and resumed illegal toll collection, extortion and harassment of truckers with greater impunity,” Aroyewun said.
He said the development could disrupt traffic and port operations and called for immediate intervention by security agencies.
“We warn all truckers and COMTUA members: Do not allow yourselves to be extorted.
"Do not buy LASTCOC tickets.
"Do not pay any money at any illegal checkpoint,” he said.
The dispute comes months after the Nigerian Ports Authority, police and Lagos State Government established a joint task force to tackle extortion and illegal checkpoints around Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
PEBEC has also said it is monitoring the corridors and working with agencies to identify legitimate checkpoints and investigate extortion complaints.
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