The Eastern Ports Police Command has made a significant arrest, apprehending five suspects allegedly involved in the systematic vandalism of the jetty and marine equipment within the Rivers Port (part of the Eastern Ports Complex).
The arrests highlight the persistent threat posed by “wharf rats” and organized criminal syndicates to Nigeria’s critical port infrastructure, which is essential for national trade and revenue generation.
The Commissioner of Police, Eastern Ports Command, Tijani Fatai, disclosed on Monday, December 1, 2025, that the suspects were arrested following a successful intelligence and surveillance operation conducted by patrol officers, who were aided by vigilant locals.
The suspects were allegedly targeting the Port and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited (PTOL) jetty at the Rivers Port.
They were reportedly cutting thick metal pipes beneath the terminal, a practice that severely compromises the structural integrity of the jetty’s quay apron. The cost of repairing such vandalized infrastructure can run into the tens of millions of Naira.
Operatives recovered industrial welding equipment used to cut the thick metal, along with metal wreckage believed to have been stripped from a nearby vessel.
Commissioner Fatai issued a stern warning to criminal elements, urging them to “keep off the port area,” and assured port workers that security architectures are fully deployed to ensure a crime-free environment, particularly during the festive season.
The continuous arrests for vandalism at the ports underscore a major national security and economic challenge. Vandalism and theft at seaports cost Nigeria billions of Naira annually in infrastructure repair and revenue leakage. Experts estimate that decayed infrastructure and inefficiencies at Nigerian ports contribute to the country losing approximately ₦20 billion daily in potential revenue to neighboring ports like Cotonou and Lomé.
The vandalism of structural components, such as the steel beams supporting the quay apron, risks catastrophic failure, which could halt shipping activities and severely impact the nation’s logistics supply chain.
The police emphasized that these arrests target members of notorious, organized syndicates who specialize in the long-term theft of port assets.
The swift action by the Eastern Ports Police Command is a crucial step in safeguarding the economic assets and structural integrity of the Eastern Ports, which are vital to facilitating trade in the South-South and South-East regions.
