Maritime police moves to reduce cargo loss, other criminal activities at port

Determined to reduce criminal activities in the nation’s seaport, the new assistant inspector general of Police, in charge of Maritime, Muhammad Musa Katsina has solicited for the support of freight forwarders under the aegis of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to rid the port of all criminal minded persons that pose risk to port operations.

Speaking in Lagos when NAGAFF management paid him a courtesy visit, the AIG said that the force needs responsible partnership with freight forwarders to enable it end all activities that could pose as security threat to lives and properties in the port system.

The Police chief, who commended the association for its contribution to the growth of the maritime sector, said that the visit was timely and assured the members of increased efforts in making the sector competitive, crime free and business friendly.

According to him, maritime related crimes, which require strategic partnership with critical stakeholders to tackle, include robbery, piracy, kidnapping, smuggling and he however noted that Maritime Police Command has a general function as enshrined in Section 4 of the Police Act.

He further solicited for regular joint meeting between his command and NAGAFF to share ideas on how to solve the problems associated with criminality in the Nigerian seaports.

On his part, Chidiebere Enelamah, leader of the NAGAFF delegation, thanked the AIG for the warm reception accorded to his team, and assured the force of the continuous support of his association towards achieving its set goals.

He said the association is fully committed to supporting the government and its agencies in realising their mandates. “NAGAFF cannot be found wanting as the association once had an Academy that has produced great scholars in the industry, while it is currently running some programmes with the Redeemers University of Nigeria, where practitioners are being trained at various levels to acquire knowledge on how to function effectively in Customs related matters and as logistics managers.

Also, freight forwarders are advised to comply with import regulations or have themselves to blame for the consequences of their actions.

 Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie