ANLCA condemns humiliation of female officer in viral video, denies members’ involvement

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has distanced itself ffom a viral video where a female Customs Officer, Assistant Comptroller Isa A.M was publicly humiliated by some clearing agents at the Car Park C of Five Star Logistics Terminal, Tin Can Island Port.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the ANLCA National Secretariat in Lagos on Wednesday, National Publicity Secretary (NPS) of ANLCA, Mr. Emmanuel Onyeme condemned the act, which he described as despicable.

Onyeme clarified that members of the association were not involved in the incident adding that the foremost licensed customs brokers group is committed to dialogue, consultation and collaboration with management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other relevant government agencies to ensure government revenue is generated through compliance.

He said, “We called this press briefing in response to a recent incident. I’m sure you’ve seen the video circulating, showing an officer from the Nigeria Customs Service being publicly mistreated at Five Star Terminal, Car Park ‘C’ in Tin Can Island Port.

“ANLCA values and respects collaboration with government agencies. We believe in engaging properly, even in difficult situations. Our approach is rooted in dialogue, consultation, and cooperation to ensure government revenue is generated through compliance.”

The ANLCA spokesman further explained that on the day of the ill-fated attack on the customs officer, coincidentally, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi was in Lagos at the PTML Terminal for the launching of the B’Odogwu trade platform.

He said that senior officials of ANLCA both at National and chapter levels were with the CGC.

“During the CGC’s visit for the “B’Odogwu” pilot program at PTML Terminal, our Vice President, Zone Coordinator, SSA Media, and other executive officers were present.

“After the event, we saw the video of the incident at Five Star. ANLCA members were not involved, and we condemn the behavior exhibited. We adhere to the Customs Act, which outlines our role and engagement with government agencies.

“This briefing is necessary because there’s been media speculation about ANLCA’s involvement in the incident. We want to clarify: ANLCA had no part in this. If we were to take any action, it would be based on the principles of engagement, dialogue, and consultation, led by our National Executive Council (NECOM) and overseen by our leader, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji.

“The reason why i have Mr Soleji the Task Force Chairman and the Sole Administrator of our Tin Can chapter here is to confirm that neither they nor any ANLCA members were involved in this incident” he said.

Onyeme, who was flanked by the Chairman, Presidential Task Force of ANLCA, Goddy Sewa Soleji, as well as the Sole Administrator of the Tin Can Island Chapter of the association, Sunday Oforha took turns to defend the association, also expressed satisfaction over Customs Area Controller in charge of Tin Can Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi for his open door policy.

He commended the Customs leadership at the Tin Can port, saying “The Custom Area Controller of Tin Can Command, Controller Dera Nnadi, operates an open policy. He typically starts work as early as 6:30am or 7:00am and remains on duty until 10:00pm readily available to assist people.

“Each day, he ensures that all documents submitted to his office are processed promptly. According to the policy, any document submitted after 6:00 p.m. is not accepted. However, if a document arrives before 6:00 p.m., he will review and sign it, even if this requires him to work as late as 11:00 p.m”

Similarly, Sole Administrator of ANLCA Tin Can chapter, Sunday Oforha corroborated the association’s spokesman, saying that every challenges being experienced by Customs brokers at Tin Can Port is being handled by the chapter in dialogue with the Customs Area Controller, hence there was no cause for its members to take laws into their hands or resort to violence.

On his part, the Chairman Presidential Monitoring Task Force, Goddy Sewa Soleji maintained that ANLCA as an organization, have procedures for addressing its operational challenges, and that the one orchestrated against the female Customs officers was never from ANLCA members.

“Any protest by clearing agents who are our members, must first be authorized by the president and coordinated by the Presidential Monitoring Task Force. However, this incident at Tin Can Port was unauthorized, and we were not informed beforehand.

“After it occurred, we conducted our investigation and found that no ANLCA members were involved. We remain committed to professionalism and believe in resolving issues through dialogue, not confrontation” Soleji stated.