NIPOST, LASG Impound over 60 Motor-bikes in Random Raid on Illegal Courier Operators

Emma Okonji

The Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD) of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT), on Wednesday in Lagos, carried out a random raid on alleged illegal courier operators, and intercepted over 60 dispatch riders, with their motor-bikes impounded.

A combined task force from CLRD team, MOT team and the Police team from Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Alagbon, Lagos, which was led by the Assistant General Manager in charge of Ethics, Complain and Strategy at CLRD, Mr. Worimegbe Banks, carried out the raid at the popular Maryland roundabout in Ikeja Lagos.

Dispatch riders who are into courier business were randomly stopped at Maryland to check for their valid courier licence, and those without licence, were arrested and their motor-bikes impounded.

According to Banks, those raided, would be profiled and prosecuted according to law, for operating courier business without obtaining operational licence, thereby defrauding the federal government of huge sums of money.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the raid, the General Manager, CLRD, Mr. Gideon Oludotun Shonde, said the combined clampdown operation became sacrosanct due to the unrelenting nefarious operations and unethical practices by the illegal courier operators in the state.

According to Shonde, “Despite the sensitisation and enlightenment programmes embarked upon by CLRD early this year, these recalcitrants continued to operate without a license from NIPOST. They engaged in price undercutting, carry illicit drugs, arms and ammunitions as well as foreign currency, which are against the ethics of this essential service and noble profession.

“It cannot be over emphasised that NIPOST, by extant law, has the mandate to license, monitor and regulate courier and logistics operations in Nigeria, and the Postmaster General of the Federation/CEO, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi is making frantic efforts to create an enabling environment for the licensed operators and any investor that are willing to operate by the rules of the game.”

Shonde further explained that the exercise was expedient, because of the many complaints reaching CLRD about theft, broaching, damage and loss of items from unsuspecting customers, by the illegal courier operators.

He emphasised that with impunity, they have persisted in their illegally and criminally actions, adding that those who flagrantly disregard the law, will have to face the full wrath of the law.

Some of the operators, whose motor-bikes were impounded, however, claimed ignorant of the courier licence law, while others said they were very much aware of the law to obtain a licence, and that they have commenced the process of obtaining courier licence, but yet to complete it.

Some who complained bitterly about the high cost of licence fee and the yearly renewal fee, said the federal government had remained insensitive to the harsh economic and business environment of the country, which they said is affecting small courier business operators the most. The one off payment of N250,000 for licence fees and the N100,000 annual renewal of licence fee for the small size category of courier business, is on the high side that is capable of stifling small businesses, some courier operators said.

Those whose motor-bikes were impounded, include Stellek Logistics Limited, Spryscheek Express Limited, Jop Logistics Limited, Zero6 Express Limited, Zoom Logistics Limited, Kobi Logistics Limited, Bs Logistics Limited, Annie’s Logistics Limited, and Non-Stop Logistics Limited. Others are Tols Logistics Limited, Gate2Gate Logistics Limited, De-Ere Ray Express Limited, and Solbridge Logistics Limited, among others.