Importers Raise Alarm as ‘Wharf Rats’ Steal Vehicle Parts at Lagos Port
- Importers have raised concerns about renewed theft and vandalism at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos
- Dockside thieves known as “wharf rats” are reportedly removing valuable parts from imported vehicles
- The Nigerian Ports Authority says terminal operators are responsible for security within their facilities
Oluwatobi Odeyinka is a business editor at Legit.ng, covering energy, the money market, technology and macroeconomic trends in Nigeria.
Importers and port users have raised concerns over renewed cases of theft and vandalism at the Roll-On-Roll-Off (RORO) terminals of Tin Can Island Port, where dockside thieves, popularly known as “wharf rats”, are reportedly targeting newly imported vehicles.
The criminals are said to operate within terminal premises, stripping vehicles of valuable components before the cars are cleared by their owners, The Sun reported.
Source: Getty Images
Stakeholders say the development has left many importers counting losses and questioning security arrangements within port facilities.
Importers complain of stolen vehicle parts
According to port users, the thieves target sensitive and costly parts such as sensors, catalytic converters, stereos, batteries, side mirrors, spare tyres, brain boxes, jacks and wheel spanners.
Importers say the parts are often removed from vehicles shortly after they arrive at the terminals, leaving owners with unexpected repair costs.
Many importers described the situation as financially damaging, noting that the losses sometimes leave them struggling to recover their investment.
Clearing agents blame terminal operators
Clearing agents and industry stakeholders have attributed the incidents largely to poor security at the terminals.
They explained that since the federal government introduced the port concession programme in 2006, private companies managing the terminals have been responsible for maintaining security within their facilities.
The reform transferred the management of cargo terminals to concessionaires, while the Nigerian Ports Authority retained oversight responsibilities.
Stakeholders said the arrangement initially improved port operations and strengthened security through stricter access control systems.
However, nearly two decades later, some industry players believe the gains are gradually being undermined by the resurgence of dockside theft.
Stakeholder speaks on responsibility for cargo safety
Speaking on the issue, Farinto Kayode said terminal operators are primarily responsible for the safety of cargo within port facilities.
According to him, terminal operators coordinate cargo positioning during examination processes and also engage stevedoring companies to handle container operations.
He noted that some theft cases could occur during cargo examination, particularly if individuals employed by stevedoring companies engage in misconduct.
Kayode advised terminal operators to review their security systems and ensure proper oversight of companies operating within the terminals.
He added that affected importers could seek compensation by filing claims with the relevant terminal operators.
Car dealers express concern over rising losses
Also reacting, Ajibola Adedoyin, National President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, described the situation as troubling for car dealers.
He said vehicle importers spend millions of naira bringing cars into the country and should not face additional losses due to vandalism within port facilities.
Adedoyin noted that many of the stolen components account for a significant portion of a vehicle’s value, making it difficult for dealers to recover their costs.
He added that the association may raise the issue again with the relevant authorities if the incidents persist.
Source: Getty Images
NPA clarifies its role
Reacting to the complaints, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager of Corporate and Strategic Communications at the Nigerian Ports Authority, said security within terminals falls under the responsibility of concessionaires managing the facilities.
According to him, the authority’s role is mainly to supervise operations and ensure that concession agreements are properly implemented.
He advised importers experiencing theft or vandalism to direct their complaints to the specific terminal operators responsible for handling their cargo.
Nigeria’s ports record historic growth in 2025
Legit.ng earlier reported that in 2025, Nigeria’s ports recorded a historic surge, with total cargo throughput rising 24.8% to over 129 million metric tons.
Total cargo throughput rose by 24.8%, climbing from about 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025. The growth is driven by higher exports, imports, and container traffic, reflecting the federal government’s push for economic diversification.
Lekki Port led the nation’s ports in cargo handling and received the largest vessels, averaging 55,712 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), slightly above Onne at 53,022 GRT. Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports handled ships averaging 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT, respectively, while Delta Ports averaged 17,414 GRT.
Source: Legit.ng
