AIG Zone 2 Muhammed Ali emphasizes importance of community policing

Segun Oladipupo

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 2, Muhammed Ari Ali on Tuesday assured freight forwarders of taming the incessant blocking of cleared cargoes in the port and harassment of agents on the roads.

The AIG made the promise when he paid a courtesy visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Apapa.

The police boss reiterated the essence of community policing saying problems are easily solved through synergy and co-operation.

While fielding questions from members of the association, he charged them to approach his office with their complaints saying the police force plays a critical role in trade facilitation.

He maintained that it is only when there is peace and tranquility in the society through partnership and collaboration between the police and members of the public that development can take place.

When confronted with barrage of complaints, he tutored the freight agents that it is the Maritime police Command and Western Port Police that are saddled with responsibilities to addressing issues emanating from port operations.

He however promised to lend a hand wherever the importers and agents have issues with clearing of their cargoes even as he promised to reach out to other commands that are not under his jurisdiction to refrain from unnecessary blocking of cargoes already cleared from the port.

His words,“My office will continue to partner with you here, we will continue to relate with you as friends, and we have each other to call on anytime there is challenges that needs to be addressed because we are partners in progress”

Explaining, he said,“Why is Apapa the hub of economic activities today in Nigeria? Why is Apapa the commercial nerve centre of not just Nigeria but the whole of Africa? It is because there is peace here.

“Community policing brings people of the community together and its problem solving. Our business can only thrive in an environment where there is peace and tranquility” he stressed.

Earlier in his remarks, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, the National President of NAGAFF, represented by Chief Simon Nwonu, Deputy National President of the association, said by the visit, “The AIG have set a new record in the harmonious relationship between the NPF and NAGAFF as a whole and I am sure our amiable and indefatigable founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam will surely have more stories to testify with, especially on the role of NPF in making the dreams of the founding fathers of NAGAFF come to reality.

“We are very delighted that you, Alhaji Mohammed Ari Ali now serve as the AIG Zone II, your come back is a huge blessing to NAGAFF and as co-stakeholders under the ports and logistics industry, we will continue to uphold to maximum cooperation with you as we wish you a successful tenure” he prayed.

Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, Founder of NAGAFF in his speech while welcoming Alhaji Mohammed Ali Ari to the Association’s headquarters recalled that their friendship dated back 2002 when he was serving as Divisional Police Officer in charge of Area B.

He said, “after our inauguration in 1999, AIG Hassan Bala (retired) handed NAGAFF and its members over to Area B Police Command, Mohammed Ari Ali, who was then a Divisional Police Officer for Area B and now an Assistant Inspector General of Police has kept an eye on us.

“We at the leadership of NAGAFF have been in close contact with him in his various movement orders and promotions which shall include but not limited to serving as DCP Operations Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Rivers and Delta States and today as Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2.

“The boy is good is what we fondly call ourselves, you are welcome home and we are very proud of you. ”

Stakeholders that graced the occasion includes, Mr. Chidiebere Enelama, Chairman NAGAFF Board of Trustees, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, Chairman NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, Chairman, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) among others.

Highpoints of the event was the decoration of the AIG Zone 2 with the NAGAFF lapel as a symbol of friendship and prayers for the Police top brass to get to enviable heights in his career .