Connect with us

Headlines

Maritime Police accuse  NPA, Customs, Shippers’ Council of colluding with freight forwarders to perpetrate corruption at ports

  —- vow no agency can stop them from intercepting exited containers 
“AIG Susan Akem-Horsfall stated in clear terms that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and all other maritime operators cannot stop the Police from performing her statutory duties, as the Maritime Police Command does not need their authority to investigate crimes”
The Eyewitness Reporter
The face-off between the Maritime Police Command of the Nigeria Police and other sister agencies in the maritime industry seems to be degenerating to confrontation as the authority of the marine police has pointedly accused other sister agencies at the ports of being complicit in perpetrating corruption at the Port.
Specifically, the maritime police command alleged that some unscrupulous elements in the  Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Council are hand-in-gloves with corrupt freight forwarders to fly containers at the port.
It could be recalled that Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the 100 percent Compliance team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has accused the maritime police of unwholesome practices and indiscriminate blocking of legally exited containers from the ports with the purpose of extortions.
In the petition he sent to the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun Olukayode,  on behalf of other irate freight forwarders, Tanko Ibrahim, called for the intervention of the police IG to stave off possible disruption of port operations as aggrieved freight forwarders have vowed to protest the alleged high handedness and extortionist activities of the Maritime Police.
The position of the protesting freight forwarders was supported by the Nigerian Council which said that the maritime police have no right to stop exited containers in order not to cause congestion at the Port.
Rather, the council advised the maritime police to trail the suspected consignment to the warehouse of the importer to carry out any necessary checks.
However, this intervention seemed not to sit well with the authority of the maritime police as Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, AIG Susan U. Akem-Horsfall, fired back.
In her reaction to the ensuing controversy between the police and the freight Forwarders with other sister agencies,  AIG Akem-Horsfall, quoting the relevant Police Act and Nigeria constitution, said the police has the statutory powers to intercept at any point and place, containers suspected of any infraction.
She said the police do not need the permission of any sister agency to stop any suspected consignment at any point in time.
She then vowed that no amount of gang-up, intimidation and blackmail by freight forwarders and their cohorts in other sister agencies at the ports would deter the police from carrying out its constitutional duties.
In the statement signed by ASP Ehinmode Rowland, Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Maritime Police Command, FHQ Annex, Lagos, AIG Susan  Akem-Horsfall said the Maritime Command, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and other stakeholders at the ports have over the years enjoyed seamless relationship and cohesion devoid of friction.
But she lamented that there are some unscrupulous persons within the ranks of these agencies working hand-in-hand with criminal elements and fraudulent syndicates to cripple the economy through corrupt practices and underhand dealings,  “hence, their nefarious and villainous publications, aimed at rubbishing the efforts of the Command in order to discourage them from dealing with the malaise.
“There is the need to make things clear here that there are double dealings going on at the Port which some staff of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and other regulatory agencies at the ports are aware of and do not want the police to unravel. This they do in connivance with some other sister security agencies” the AIG alleged.
“The attention of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, AIG Susan U. Akem-Horsfall, B.Sc, MPA, LLB, LLM, BL has been drawn to a statement credited to one Mrs. Ifeoma Ezedinma, Director Regulatory Services of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO, Mr. Emmanuel Jime, at an event in Apapa, Lagos stated among other things that “the Nigeria Police is overstepping it bounds and that the Police does not have the right or authority to detain the cargo the Customs has already cleared.
” If Customs clears cargo, Police does not have the right or authority to detain the cargo. If the Police have intel on the cargo, you can follow it to the final destination and check it there since the Police have access everywhere, but not for them to congest our Ports or the access road. We see this problem on a daily basis.
“Every agency have their responsibilities cut out for them, so we should interface with one another, harmonise and facilitate trade”.
“The preceding statement by the Director is not only misleading but far from the truth and it has become imperative to put the records straight.
“The duties of Nigeria Police Force as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the Criminal Procedure Code and Act, the Nigeria Police Acts and Regulations 2020, and the National Inland Waterways Authority Acts No. 47 LFN 2004 clearly spelled out the duties and functions of the Nigeria Police Force.
” It is important to note that, the Nigeria Police Force is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Section 214 of the Constitution established this and it conferred powers and duties on the police to wit, protection of life and property, protection of harbour, waterways, railways and the airfield among others.
“Hence, some of the statutory duties of the Police include prevention and detection of crimes, apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order, and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations.
“Furthermore, a Police officer is empowered by the Police Act to detain and search any person he reasonably suspects of having in his possession or conveying in any manner, anything he has reason to believe to have been stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained.
” Same goes for the Criminal Procedure Act which gives power to the Police to arrest any person found to have committed a crime, this is in addition to the National Inland Waterways Authority Acts No. 47 LFN 2004 which mandates the Police to provide a buffer and protective support, helps the Authority to enforce its enabling NIWA Act 2004 LFN and Secures the waterways and the Authority’s vessels.
“To this end, the Nigeria Police Force and all her subsidiary Commands and Formations, of which the Maritime Police Command is inclusive is statutorily empowered to carry out all lawful activities conferred on her including blockage, apprehension and detention of containers/cargos suspected to have contravened the law or conveying items that are considered contraband or things inimical to the security of the nation.

“The recent case of a 1x40ft container purportedly cleared by the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), with documents duly signed by NSC official to be conveying two (2) used Toyota Hi-ace Buses, six hundred and fifty (650) used vehicle spare parts and engine which were intercepted by men of the Maritime Police Command on the 18th August 2023 comes to mind.
” Upon interrogation, the arrested suspects in connection with the container disclosed to the Police that the container was carrying different items, and when the container was opened at the Maritime Command Headquarters in the presence of Journalists and pressmen, it was discovered to be carrying mayonnaise, Persian rugs amongst other concealed items.
” It is therefore not far from the truth to say, there is a conspiracy between some agencies at the port to sabotage the economy of Nigeria.
“AIG Susan Akem-Horsfall stated in clear terms that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and all other maritime operators cannot stop the Police from performing her statutory duties, as the Maritime Police Command does not need their authority to investigate crimes.
“The command will give full attention to her duties that are incumbent on it by the laws of the land, especially as it relates to the nation’s maritime domain.
“The Command will continue to work in synergy and collaboration with sister agencies and all operators within the sector to enhance government policy on ease of doing business.
“Lastly, the AIG has emphatically stated that the Command under her watch will not relent in fighting crimes being perpetuated at the port and every attempt at maligning personnel of the command through various false publications will not deter or hinder them from performing their constitutionally approved duties” the statement concluded.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Headlines

NSC flaunts achievements at ministerial retreat for agencies heads in maritime industry 

–– saves FG N31 billion within six months in 2024
— pushes for quick passage of Nigerian Port Regulatory Agency Bill
Funso OLOJO 
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) has showcased its achievements during this year’s ministerial retreat in Abuja.
Addressing the gathering which comprised the Minister of Marine and Blue economy Adegboyega Oyetola, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola and heads of maritime agencies and other dignitaries, the Executive Secretary of the Country, Pius Akutah disclosed that the agency has saved the Federal government a whooping sum of N31 billion  between January and June 2024 through automation of demurrage, freight rate, and charter party verification.
Akutah , who  called for critical policy and funding reforms, highlighted some of the achievements of the Council which include but not limited to commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port, top-ranking performance in the 2024 ICPC Ethics and Integrity Scorecard, the launch of online registration portals for port users and service providers and the development of the Trade and Transport Data Bank now nearing completion.
He emphasized the need for swift passage of the Nigerian Port Regulatory Agency Bill and consistent access to statutory funding.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who declared the retreat open, stated that the Marine and Blue Economy sector had been placed at the forefront of the Federal Government growth agenda and that agencies must respond with measurable performance and improved service delivery.
The Minister also noted several milestones achievements over the year, such as modernization of port infrastructure, steady improvement in port efficiency, progress on the National Single Window, commencement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund disbursement, noting that the recent approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, marked a new phase in the sectorial development.
He outlined key imperatives for sectoral transformation, including inter-agency synergy, digitalization, governance, and environmental responsibility.
As the retreat progresses, agency heads are signing performance bonds anchored on specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), reinforcing a shared commitment to measurable results and transparency.
Continue Reading

Headlines

Opeifa decries incessant attacks on railway facilities by vandals

— enjoins host communities to regard infrastructures as national assets
Funso OLOJO 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa,
has decried the rate at which NRC facilities are being attacked by criminal elements.
 Dr. Opeifa was reacting to two separate vandalism attacks on the Warri Itakpe line and another attack at Oghaho Section, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State in the Eastern District.
At the Warri Itakpe line, if not for the quick response of the NRC management, the line would have suffered another suspension of operations.
Following a report from the community vigilante group of track vandalism at Agbarho Community, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, the Railway track and safety officers were quickly dispatched to verify the report and do the needful for safe passage of the train.
Arriving at the site, the men discovered that from km 250 Agbarho – Okpara Section had been vandalized and the hold down bolts and clips made away with by the hoodlums.
The Railway crew promptly replaced all that were vandalized and the track has been confirmed safe for the passage of trains.
Because of that unfortunate incident, WITS 01 of 12th May 2025 experienced a 40 minutes delay in departure.
In another sad development, this time around, in the Eastern District of the Corporation, following a reported case of vandalization by PTO (HO) of two spans on bridge No.24 at KM284 (Oghaho section) Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State, Eastern District, a team of Railway Policemen and engineering crew were despatched from Enugu to the site on Monday, May 12th, 2025 on an assessment and security watch.
On getting to the site, the men discovered that a whole length of (Bridge 24) heavy frames were cut into pieces by the criminals, using oxygen and escetelen.
While the vandals had fled, the long spans bridge beams were met on ground and efforts are being made to recover them.
According to the reports from officers in charge of the area, the location is largely inaccessible due to long history of insecurity and banditry which had made most communities along this rail corridor to relocate.
While commending the effort of the security agencies so far in stopping this economic sabotage, Opeifa encouraged them to redouble efforts as his administration is ever ready to support them in dealing with the challenging task of securing railway facilities across the country.
He specifically thanked the Agbarho Community Vigilante Group for having an eye on the NRC track.
The NRC boss therefore called on other communities to emulate the Agbarho Community Vigilante and begin to own Railway facilities in their communities as they are national assets.
Continue Reading

Headlines

Oyetola gives marching order to NIMASA, NPA,NSC,NIWA to translate policy on Marine and Blue Economy into actionable programmes 

Funso OLOJO 
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has given a marching order to the heads of agencies in the maritime industry to  study, internalize and digest the tenets of the recently approved national policy on marine and blue economy with the purpose of translating the policy into actionable programmes.
Oyetola made this declaration on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 during the sectorial retreat the ministry organized for all the heads of the agencies under the ministry of Marine and Blue economy.
The Minister, who made the agencies heads sign a performance bond to deliver on the ministry’ s mandate,
expressed his unwavering commitment to the full and accelerated implementation of the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy which he said has become a catalyst for national economic growth.
He therefore urged the top management of the Ministry and its agencies to recommit themselves to effective leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and measurable performance outcomes.
Oyetola described the gathering as a defining moment for reflection, realignment, and purposeful engagement.
He stressed that the retreat goes beyond administrative formality, representing instead a crucial opportunity to evaluate the sector’s direction and to reposition it for impactful delivery in line with national expectations.
Oyetola emphasised that the Marine and Blue Economy has been placed at the forefront of the Federal Government’s economic growth agenda under the Renewed Hope framework, and that it is incumbent on the Ministry’s leadership to drive this vision with urgency and discipline.
He highlighted recent milestones, including ongoing efforts to modernise port infrastructure, implementation of the National Single Window platform, improvements in port efficiency, enhanced maritime security, progress in aquaculture and fisheries, and the commencement of the long-anticipated disbursement process of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).
Most notably, he described the recent approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the Federal Executive Council as a foundational achievement that sets the strategic framework for long-term sectoral transformation.
With implementation now the focus, the Minister stressed that leadership across the Ministry and its agencies must fully internalise the policy’s strategic priorities and translate them into actionable programmes.
He called for disciplined execution anchored on improved coordination, technology adoption, transparency, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability.
He urged all agencies to treat the Performance Bonds signed during the retreat not as symbolic gestures, but as serious commitments to deliver concrete, time-bound outcomes that enhance the sector’s contribution to GDP, expand job creation, increase port throughput, and improve regulatory compliance and revenue mobilisation.
Oyetola also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing bid for a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, describing it as a strategic national objective.
 He stressed that the Ministry would continue to lead on diplomatic engagement and international outreach, but that every agency must play its part in showcasing Nigeria’s readiness to continue to lead and contribute meaningfully to global maritime affairs.
In his opening remarks at the retreat, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, echoed the Minister’s call for decisive action.
He noted that the Ministry stands at a pivotal juncture in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, under the visionary leadership of Honourable Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, the Ministry has achieved commendable progress, with the approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy marking a significant milestone.
 He stressed, however, that the priority now must be the translation of the policy into real, measurable outcomes.
Oloruntola described the retreat as a critical platform for identifying and resolving the barriers to effective execution, strengthening inter-agency synergy, and defining the specific steps needed to position the Marine and Blue Economy as a major driver of national development in alignment with global trends.
 He noted that a key feature of the retreat would be the signing of Performance Bonds by Heads of Agencies, which would be tied to clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
This, he said, is a reflection of the Ministry’s collective commitment to accountability, results, and service excellence.
He commended the Heads of Agencies for their readiness to champion this new era of accountability within their institutions and for their commitment to cascading these obligations throughout their teams.
 He further emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between agency leadership and Ministry management, noting that while the Minister provides the strategic direction, it is the responsibility of senior management to ensure that direction is translated into measurable results through discipline, coordination, and dedication.
Oloruntola expressed his appreciation for the guidance and leadership of Honourable Minister Oyetola, whose clear vision and unwavering commitment, he said, have been instrumental in defining the Ministry’s path and energising its personnel.
He also acknowledged the support of the National Assembly Committees overseeing the sector, including the Senate Committee on Marine Transport chaired by Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun and the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, led by Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
 He praised their oversight, partnership, and legislative backing, which have significantly reinforced the Ministry’s efforts.
Continue Reading

Trending