Maritime
2015 Polls: Police Assure On Security Of Waterways
The Assistant Inspector
General (AIG) in-charge of Maritime Command, Kalafixe Adeyemi has assured of adequate security of the waterways before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
Adeyemi gave the assurance during a familiarisation tour of Ports Authority Police, Eastern Ports Command in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday.
According to her, the police would continue to proffer solution in containing violence and crisis during the elections as it is also putting in place all logistics in ensuring that the waterways are safer and protected during the exercise.
She reiterated that the police, especially those of the marine department had been adequately repositioned to face the challenges of possible security threats that might arise on the waterways during the elections.
The AIG Maritime Command said, “my men, especially the marine police are up and doing. They have been patrolling the waterways and we have been lecturing our men to be of good behaviour and I know they are going to perform well.
We are out to do our jobs and to be on steady patrol of the waterways. We have the capacity to face whatever challenges that may confront us”.
Adeyemi disclosed that the tour being a directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba was to further strategise on how to provide all necessary needs before the elections, and that the Eastern Ports Command needed such urgent attention that the police is ready to look into, and charged all to be of good conduct before, during and after the polls.
“It is time to make sure that the men are well kitted and provided for logistically. Once again I am here to encourage them and tell them to be of good behaviour as to contribute their own quota to the success of the forthcoming elections”, she opined.
She however expressed optimism that the police would live up to expectation during the polls and further charged them to brace-up for whatever challenges in their constitutional duties.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police, Eastern Command, Mr James Caulcuick commended the AIG on the visit and disclosed that the command is being faced with operational vehicles, inadequate arms and ammunition to effectively police the ports and patrol the waterways, lack of patrol gunboats, accommodation for officers and men of the command, radio transmission network, inadequate staff and welfare packages, among others.
Caulcuick assured that with these provisions, they would perform their duties effectively with God on their side.
Also speaking, the Acting General Manager, Eastern Ports, Lawrence Alabi decried the reported incessant attacks by sea pirates robbers on the waterways, and called on the police authority to equip the marine police and provide conducive platform for them to meet up the challenges.
He also thanked the AIG, Maritime Police Command for her visit to get first hand information on the operations and challenges of the police at the ports in Eastern command.
Similarly, the AIG, Maritime Command, Mrs Adeyemi also paid familiarization visit to the Onne Port Complex Police Command.
Collins Barasimeye/Tammy Epelle
Comptroller-General of Customs (cgc), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi (right), welcoming the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (nan), Mr Ima Niboro to his office, during a courtesy visit to Customs Headquarters in Abuja last Tuesday. Photo: NAN
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.
