The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged the Inspector-General of Police to as a matter of urgency direct his officers and men working within the jurisdiction of the seaports to always refer cases related to Customs formalities to the Customs or the Police officers deployed to the port functions.
The association which made its position known through a letter signed by the National Secretary of the association, Dr. Arthur Igwilo recalled that this was the case before the assumption of office of the current IGP.
While maintaining that the essence of deploying a high ranking officer of an AIG, Commissioner of Police and other rank and file officers to the Nigerian Ports was for the purpose of security of life and properties and to curb other criminal incidentals related to maritime business in Nigeria, the association however observed that the experience of its members with other units of the Nigerian Police with regard to port related matters had not been pleasant but regrettable, a blatant undermining of the essence or relevance of the above-named officers at the port.
“Aside from the fact that Customs related matters are highly technical, the appropriateness of AIG Maritime and his officers in line with trade facilitations and crime prevention cannot be overemphasized.
“And for the reasons under the general powers of a proper Police officer to attend to reasonable information and/or as the case may be for an aggrieved person, it is our view that such a case be referred to the appropriate unit of the Police for redress. In this wise, the office of the AIG or the Commissioner of Police Ports comes to mind. The essence of professionalism and division of labour cannot be overemphasized in this circumstance.
“It is a common knowledge that it is most convenient for the AIG to seek an expert opinion from the Customs Area Command if he must go further with the case as reported. Our IG Sir, it is on record that your predecessors may have earlier directed various zones within the jurisdiction of the seaports to always refer cases related to Customs formalities to the Customs and/or the Police officers deployed to the port functions.
“It is with deep sense of humility and regrets that some Units of the Police in the Western operations have constantly dabbled into port related matters aside from the fact that Nigerian Police is duly assigned to the ports under the supervision of an AIG of Police”, the letter read in part.
It therefore appealed to the IGP to give direction and general order in this regard as according to the association, Nigeria Police is one.
“The purpose of this letter is not to report any particular unit or Command of the Nigerian Police in the Western Zone but to create an atmosphere of professionalism, best practices and friendship in our ports operations. In due course we may be very specific to mention the Police Units and formations which other than engage themselves in their assigned duty are usually dabbling into Customs related matters”, the letter said.
NAGAFF however expressed its confidence and trust that the leadership of the Nigerian Police at ports could represent Nigerian Police in all matters related to ports operations and management adding that the ports were quite sensitive to the national economy and as such nothing should be done to undermine them.
