Don’t dabble in cargo clearance- AIG Zone 2, Ali warns police officers

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 command, Nigeria Police, Ari Muhammed Ali has called on police officers serving within the nation’s ports environment to avoid dabbling in cargo clearance at the port, stating that the business of cargo clearance is purely a Customs responsibility.

The Police Chief stated this during a working visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) headquarters in Apapa on Tuesday.

Ali said unless there is an intelligence that a container is carrying offensive items that can pose a threat to national security and need for their intervention, their primary duty is to enforce laws while ensuring safety and security of the public.

“We don’t have much to do in cargo clearance. That is the job of Customs. Police may have issues that borders on crimes and criminality but anything that has to do with clearance of cargoes from the port is the job of Customs. It is not in the place of the police to dabble in.

“They (police officers) should do their due diligence and ensure they scrutinize their information very well. It is not in the interest of the Force for our members to be seen intercepting containers along the road. We work hand in hand with Customs,” he said.

Ali, while urging freight forwarders to be upright in their business dealings, assured that the police will continue to partner with NAGAFF through community policing in curbing crimes and ensuring sanity within the port community.

“They (freight forwarders) should be upright in their business. As partners, we will continue to work together in the interest of the nation. Our job is all about partnership and that is where community policing comes in. No one does it alone.

“Community policing brings people of the community together and it is problem solving. Our business can only thrive in an environment where there is peace and tranquility. We will continue to partner with NAGAFF in the interest of the nation,” he said.

Describing his visit to NAGAFF as home coming, Ali commended the founder of NAGAFF, Dr Boniface Aniebonam and members of the association for their support and collaboration, which he said enabled him succeed when he served as DPO and the Area Commander.in charge of the Area B Command, Apapa.

Earlier in his remarks, National President of NAGAFF, Tochukwu Ezizi said by the visit, the AIG has set a new record in the harmonious relationship between the Police Force and the association’

“Right from inception till now, NAGAFF has enjoyed the unalloyed support of the Nigerian Police in her everyday business operation nationwide. Although there are times that s members had fallen out with men of the NPF but we have always found ways to align together on our differences. On this note, NAGAFF is saying thank you to the AIG in particular and the Nigeria Police in general.

“We are very delighted that you, Alhaji Mohammed Ari Ali now serve as the AIG Zone II, this your comeback 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.

“I wish to assure you that NAGAFF will continue to proactively engage with your good office at all times towards achieving a more successful service throughout your regime,” Ezizi, who was represented by the National Deputy President of NAGAFF, Simeon Nwonu said,

Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, described the Police Chief’s visit to the Association’s headquarters as a reunion, noting that their friendship dated back 2002 when he served as Divisional Police Officer and Area Command in charge of Area B command.

“We at the leadership of NAGAFF have been in close contact with him in his various movement orders and promotions which shall include but not limited to serving as DCP Operations Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Rivers and Delta States and today as Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2,” he said.

Photo caption:

L-R Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam; Assistant Inspector-General of Police ( AIG) in charge of Zone 2 command, Nigeria Police, Ari Muhammed Ali and National Deputy President of NAGAFF, Simeon Nwonu, during the AIG’s visit to NAGAFF Headquarters in Apapa on Tuesday.