PEBEC to Equip Truckers With Body Cameras to Tackle Extortion

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has announced plans to equip truck drivers and freight forwarders operating along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors with body cameras as part of efforts to curb extortion and illegal checkpoint activities. The initiative is aimed at gathering video evidence against officials accused of demanding bribes from transport operators, enabling authorities to prosecute offenders.

Speaking during the weekly Meet the Press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, PEBEC Director-General Zahrah Audu said the absence of credible evidence had hindered previous attempts to sanction erring officials. She explained that although enforcement teams conducted operations in January, March and July, no arrests were made because no officer was caught in the act of extortion. Audu said the body cameras would provide the proof needed to hold offenders accountable.

Audu also disclosed that PEBEC has installed signposts at all approved checkpoints along the port corridors, each carrying a QR code linked to the ReportGov platform, allowing truckers and freight forwarders to report cases of extortion directly. She added that once credible evidence is obtained, the council will work with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure those involved are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Beyond tackling extortion, PEBEC said it is implementing broader reforms to improve efficiency at Nigeria's ports, including reducing cargo clearance time from an average of 21 days to seven days through joint cargo inspections, increased use of cargo scanners and the implementation of the National Single Window system. The council said these reforms are expected to lower logistics costs, improve trade efficiency and strengthen Nigeria's business environment.