The Ports Authority Police, Western Command, has stated that it is not responsible for the ongoing traffic gridlock between Mile 2 and the Apapa Wharf. ASP Isaac Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, clarified that this specific route is outside their operational area, which is strictly limited to the port facilities, terminals, and tank farms themselves.
Hundeyin explained that the recurring traffic jams are rooted in systemic infrastructure failures rather than police enforcement issues. He pointed to a lack of adequate truck parks and loading bays as the primary drivers of the congestion, noting that providing these facilities is the duty of terminal operators and the Nigerian Ports Authority. While the police maintain a presence in the area, their objective is to prevent criminal activity and assist with traffic regulation, not to manage cargo logistics.
Regarding accusations that police are exacerbating the situation, Hundeyin denied these claims, asserting that the police force does not intentionally create public hardship. He noted that operational delays are frequently tied to disputes involving labor unions and private terminal operators. He concluded that while police facilitate dialogue and maintain order during these conflicts, a lasting resolution requires better infrastructure and industrial dispute management rather than further police intervention.
