Extortion: AIG Maritime frowns at allegation against command; vows to dig out fraudulent freight forwarders.
Extortion: AIG Maritime frowns at allegation against command; vows to dig out fraudulent freight forwarders.
…says police only block containers based on verified intelligence gathering.
Segun Oladipupo
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, AIG Susan U. Akem-Horsfall has expressed displeasure with the publication accusing the command of blocking containers and extorting freight Forwarders before allowing their already examined containers to exit the port.
In a statement by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Ehinmode Rowland on Monday, the command described such allegations as fallacious and misleading.
According to the statement, the Command’s helmsman, said the allegation was absolutely false as well as denigrating.
Explaining, the statement stated that upon assumption of office of the AIG Maritime Police Command on the 24th July, 2023, the AIG lectured officers and men of the command on the need to be professional and diligent in their duties.
She was said to have stated her distaste for corruption and extortion under any guise, and that she would not hesitate to taking disciplinary measures against any officer found culpable.
The Maritime police boss was said to have reiterated her stance on the 1st of August, 2023 when the she met with Terminal/Ports Operators in her office where she restated her zero tolerance for corruption in any form even as she promised an open door policy for stakeholders and operators for ease of resolution of trade disputes.
“She stated further that such misconduct will be met with severe sanctions. This was further avowed to members of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Enforcement and Complaints Unit who paid her a courtesy visit on Tuesday 15th August, 2023.
“It is embarrassing, shameful and ridiculous to read such falsehood, unverified and mendacious publications being peddled by some uninformed news agencies and Terminal operators who did not consider it necessary to verify their information before publication.
“It is important to state that, container blockage at the terminals or shipping companies by personnel of the Command are based on verified intelligence gathering over wrong or under-declaration of cargoes, forgery of release documents, conspiracy on the part of some clearing agents and officers of allied Forces to sabotage the economy, thereby causing loss of revenue to the Federal government of Nigeria among many other offenses
“There is no time that any personnel of the Command demanded money or gratification from anyone before containers are released upon conclusion of investigation.
“It is pertinent to state that Terminal operators like TIncan Island Container Terminal (TICT) is in connivance with some fraudulent clearing agents to sabotage the economic wellbeing of the nation, which the AIG has vowed to nip in the bud.
“A case in hand was that of the TICT managers’ refusal to receive letters to release containers under investigation placed on liens to the Police to enable conclude investigation that has been on since 2017. Even after several letters of invitation were sent to them for discussions, this particular Terminal failed to honour our invitation.
“This is considered an affront on the Nigeria Police Force and the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Command.
“The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Susan therefore advised the public to disregard the wrong narratives by the publishers of these fake news and the utterances of the so-called disgruntled and dismissed ANCLA member nicknamed “June 12″ known for stealing at Car Park C and his cohort who are bent on perpetuating evil at the Ports as the wrath of the law will soon catch up with them
Any attempt to bring to disrepute, the AIG’s image or person will not be allowed.”
