Matilda Omonaiye/
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of unlawfully occupying its property at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Cargo (MMAC) Chapter in Lagos, escalating a long-running dispute that may now trigger national and international protests.
In a strongly worded statement, the association expressed frustration over what it described as repeated failed attempts to resolve the matter through institutional channels, alleging that the Airport Police Command has remained unyielding despite “incontrovertible evidence” of ANLCA’s ownership of the property.
The group revealed that initial efforts, including appeals to relevant stakeholders and interventions through public institutions, yielded no results. Subsequent engagement with the maritime press also failed to shift the position of the police authorities, with ANLCA alleging that the Commissioner of Police at the airport command “refused to budge.”
Tensions around the issue intensified recently when ANLCA’s Western Zone Coordinator, Alhaji Femi Anifowose, led a protest over the matter, drawing wider attention within the maritime sector.
Raising concerns about internal and external interference, the association questioned how it had become “helpless” in reclaiming its property from individuals it described as former members who are not licensed customs agents.
ANLCA is now considering a more aggressive approach, including a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu, urging him to direct the Airport Police Command to vacate the premises immediately.
Should that fail, the association says it may convene a World Press Conference to expose what it termed the “illegal occupation” to the global community, alongside a possible mass protest involving members across its Western Zone.
The group anchored its claims on provisions of its 2013 Constitution, which vests ownership and control of all ANLCA properties in its Board of Trustees (BOT). It stressed that only the BOT has the legal authority to manage such assets or initiate litigation, warning against interference by individuals or external actors.
Citing previous court guidance, ANLCA also referenced a Federal High Court ruling that directed parties in related disputes to explore arbitration mechanisms provided within its constitution, lamenting that such internal conflict resolution pathways have not been fully utilized.
Describing the situation as an act of oppression and institutional compromise, the association vowed to escalate the matter into the public domain until its property is restored.
“This MMAC Chapter issue must stop, one way or the other,” the statement declared, signaling what could become a major confrontation between one of Nigeria’s foremost maritime associations and the police authorities.
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