Commissioner of Police in charge of Western Port, Alkali Shaba has advised freight forwarders operating at the nation’s ports on the need to know their rights when dealing with police officers.
Shaba who was on a familiarization visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGGAF) yesterday in Lagos, gave the advice when responding to complaints of harassment and undue interference by police officers outside the port to check consignments that have been duly cleared from the port.
Shaba said most of the officers stopping containers outside the port are there on illegal duty pointing out that some of them are fake police officers who have been dismissed from the Force. “Some of them are criminals in uniform and the leadership of the police will not condone that. If you have been cleared from the port why should anyone stop you? There is need to know your right when relating with officers. If you stand on your ground, you will discover that most of them are on illegal duty.
“There are bad eggs in the Force. That cannot be ruled out. We have been battling with these fake officers who have been dismissed from the Force. We promise that we will keep arresting them, “he said. He advised the agents not to hesitate to reach him when confronted with such harassment stating that he operates an open door policy.
Responding, founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam urged members to abide by the rule of law even as he appealed to them not to abuse the privilege of having a good relationship with the commissioner having enjoyed a robust relationship with the force in time past.
He also harped on community policing stating that it will help suppress crime in the port environment. He assured that NAGAFF will continue to partner with the police and support the commissioner in achieving his mandate.
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