AIG Ali Parleys with Freight Forwarders, Tells Maritime Police Not to Interfere in Cargo Clearance at Ports
AIG ARI SPEAKING TO THE FREIGHT FORWARDERS WHEN HE VISITED NAGAFF ON TUESDAY.. HE IS FLANKED BY DR. ANIEBONAM AND SIMEON NWONU
By Chinonso Apeh
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Mohammed Ari Ali, on Tuesday told Maritime Police to stop interfering with cargo clearance at the ports, but concentrate on ensuring national security which is their primary responsibility.
Ari said that the idea of stopping and searching containers inside the ports was wrong, adding that the operatives of the Maritime Police should desist from such interference.
According to the AIG, cargo clearance remains strictly for the officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The AIG who visited the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), made it clear that it was only when there is intelligence report that the Police can stop containers already cleared at the ports by the Customs.
For instance, he recalled that some Police Officer under his Unit had sometimes ago intercepted a container fully loaded with arms and ammunition.
Ari said there was the need for community policing in the country to ensure collaboration between the Police and members of the public.
He made it clear that development oly takes place in atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The AIG told members of NAGAFF to call his office each time there were complaints from freight forwarders on what happens at the ports.
“My office will continue to partner with you here, we will continue to relate with you as friends, and we have each other to call on anytime there is challenges that needs to be addressed because we are partners in progress.
“Community policing brings people of the community together and its problem solving. Our business can only thrive in an environment where there is peace and tranquility”.
The President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, said the visit of the AIG has created a harmonious relationship between the NPF and NAGAFF by his visit.
Ezisi who was represented by the Deputy National President of NAGAFF, Mr Simeon Nwonu said members of the association and other freight forwarders were delighted to receive the AIG.
Ezisi added, “We are very delighted that you, Alhaji Mohammed Ari Ali now serve as the AIG Zone II, your come back is a huge blessing to NAGAFF and as co-stakeholders under the ports and logistics industry, we will continue to uphold to maximum cooperation with you as we wish you a successful tenure”.
The Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, said he had maintained good friendship with the AIG for over 21 years when he was the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Area B.
According to Aniebonam, “after our inauguration in 1999, AIG Hassan Bala (retired) handed NAGAFF and its members over to Area B Police Command, Mohammed Ari Ali, who was then a Divisional Police Officer for Area B and now an Assistant Inspector General of Police has kept an eye on us”.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Mohammed Ari Ali, on Tuesday told Maritime Police to stop interfering with cargo clearance at the ports, but concentrate on ensuring national security which is their primary responsibility.
Ari said that the idea of stopping and searching containers inside the ports was wrong, adding that the operatives of the Maritime Police should desist from such interference.
According to the AIG, cargo clearance remains strictly for the officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The AIG who visited the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), made it clear that it was only when there is intelligence report that the Police can stop containers already cleared at the ports by the Customs.
For instance, he recalled that some Police Officer under his Unit had sometimes ago intercepted a container fully loaded with arms and ammunition.
Ari said there was the need for community policing in the country to ensure collaboration between the Police and members of the public.
He made it clear that development oly takes place in atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The AIG told members of NAGAFF to call his office each time there were complaints from freight forwarders on what happens at the ports.
“My office will continue to partner with you here, we will continue to relate with you as friends, and we have each other to call on anytime there is challenges that needs to be addressed because we are partners in progress.
“Community policing brings people of the community together and its problem solving. Our business can only thrive in an environment where there is peace and tranquility”.
The President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, said the visit of the AIG has created a harmonious relationship between the NPF and NAGAFF by his visit.
Ezisi who was represented by the Deputy National President of NAGAFF, Mr Simeon Nwonu said members of the association and other freight forwarders were delighted to receive the AIG.
Ezisi added, “We are very delighted that you, Alhaji Mohammed Ari Ali now serve as the AIG Zone II, your come back is a huge blessing to NAGAFF and as co-stakeholders under the ports and logistics industry, we will continue to uphold to maximum cooperation with you as we wish you a successful tenure”.
The Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, said he had maintained good friendship with the AIG for over 21 years when he was the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Area B.
According to Aniebonam, “after our inauguration in 1999, AIG Hassan Bala (retired) handed NAGAFF and its members over to Area B Police Command, Mohammed Ari Ali, who was then a Divisional Police Officer for Area B and now an Assistant Inspector General of Police has kept an eye on us”.
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