The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and its surrounding areas continue to grapple with perennial gridlock due to the existence of illegal toll or extortion points that have not been dismantled. Vanguard’s investigation, supported by key sources in the area, reveals that there are at least 58 extortion points manned by various groups and agencies, including the Police, Park and Garages, ECOMOG, Oduduwa boys, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Apapa Local Government Area (LGA), and area boys, among others.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Extortion Points and Charges:
Inward Tincan along the expressway: 25 points with each truck driver paying N61,000.
Outward Tincan: 12 extortion points with a fee of N25,000.
Apapa corridor: 19 points with a toll of N52,000.
These extortion points often lead to disagreements between truck drivers and the collectors of the fees, resulting in traffic gridlock on the expressway.
Customs’ Manual Inspection and Parking of Petroleum Tankers Add to Gridlock
The insistence of Nigerian Customs on 100% manual inspection of cargo, despite the availability of technology in the form of scanners, has also been identified as a contributing factor to the gridlock. The use of technology like scanners could significantly reduce the time spent on manual checks, which contribute to traffic congestion.
The indiscriminate parking of petroleum tankers along the route, especially from Coconut Junction towards Cele Junction, further exacerbates the chaotic situation around Tin-Can Port.
Challenges with Electronic Truck Call-Up System
Truckers plying the Oshodi, Mile 2 inward Tin-can Island Port have reported that the electronic truck call-up system, operated by the Truck Transit Park (TTP), is not working effectively. Adeyinka Aroyewun, the National President of the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA), stated that the government lacks the political will to address the problems facing the haulage industry. He pointed out that warnings about the ineffectiveness of the call-up system had been ignored, leading to long queues and trucks parking along the port access road.
Calls for Government Intervention
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the federal government to expedite its plan to provide palliatives for Federal Government workers following the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Workers are growing impatient due to the hardship caused by the subsidy removal.
In conclusion, the illegal toll points, manual cargo inspection, parking of petroleum tankers, and challenges with the electronic truck call-up system all contribute to the perennial gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Addressing these issues, including dismantling illegal toll points, is crucial to alleviating the traffic congestion in the area.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
