Report of extortion in maritime police command, fallacious, misleading- Maritime Police Command

…Says container blockage based on verified intelligence gathering

By Bisi LAWAL

Container blockage at the terminals or shipping companies by personnel of the Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos are based on verified intelligence gathering over sharp practices by some clearing agents and officers of allied Forces.

Maritime Police Command, Ag. Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ehinmode, A. Rowland, in a statement on Tuesday, made the clarification while distancing the command from a “fallacious and misleading news going round the social and online media about extortion in Maritime Police Command”.

He disclosed that available intelligence revealed 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 offences.

Ehinmode emphasized that “at no time has any personnel of the Command demanded money or gratification from anyone before containers are released upon conclusion of investigation.

He maintained, “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”.

The statement further revealed, “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 Ag. Spokesperson of the Command reminded that, “Upon assumption of office as the AIG Maritime Police Command on the 24th July, 2023, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Police Command, AIG Susan U. Akem-Horsfall, lectured officers and men of the command on the need to be professional and diligent in their duties stating her negative stance against corruption and extortion under any guise, and that she will not hesitate in taking disciplinary measures against any officer found culpable.

“This was further stated on the 1st of August 2023 when the AIG met with Terminal/Ports Operators in her office where she reiterated her zero tolerance for corruption in any form and that she operates an open-door policy with zeal to receive in audience anyone who feel disgruntled, unfairly treated or extorted by any personnel of the Command.

“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”.

The Command, therefore, expressed the displeasure of AIG Akem-Horsfall at the “fallacious and misleading news going round the social and online media about extortion in Maritime Police Command, considered to be absolute falsehood and denigrating”.

The command advised the media to verify their information before publication and avoid embarrassing, shameful, falsehood, unverified and mendacious publications as being peddled by some uninformed news agencies and Terminal operators.