Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has ordered a speedy and comprehensive streamlining of the operations of the Nigeria Police Force in and around ports terminals.
The move is to reduce unwholesome delays and inefficiency experienced at Nigerian ports especially the Apapa ports.
The order came as a fall out of the meeting the Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Hassan Bello, had with the Inspector General of Police in Abuja recently.
The IG, in a statement, disclosed that the directives had been given to the Maritime Police Command and other formations.
He said the directives reinforced the mandate of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Maritime) and the commissioners of police in-charge of the responsibility for police operations at all ports across the country.
According to him, “No other Police formations, commands, units or teams by any designation are authorised to undertake any operation or investigation in and around any Nigerian Ports terminals unless with the knowledge, written authorisation and active involvement of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Maritime) or the commissioners of Police in-charge of the Western and Eastern Ports Authority as the case may be.”
Adamu, also pointed out that the stoppage of containers to clearing agents by different Units in the force had also been harmonised.
“Therefore, it has been directed that such orders must, henceforth, be routed through the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Maritime) who will process same to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for execution,” the statement added.
“The implication of this order is that the Maritime Police Command are to work in conjunction with the Shippers’ Council to ensure the actualisation of the IGP’s order,” the statement disclosed.
