The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned unsuspecting port users to be wary of touts posing as genuine clearing agents.
SHIPS & PORTS DAILY investigation shows that there have been many cases of people being defrauded by touts who claim to be clearing agents only to discover that they are not.
Last week, a 34-year-old ‘fake’ clearing agent, Onyebuchi Kingsley, was arraigned at the Apapa Magistrates’ court for allegedly defrauding Adewale Adebiyi to the tune of N470,000 under the pretense of clearing a Toyota Camry 2007 for the victim.
Prosecuting counsel, Alexander Esebamen said the defendant collected the sum of N470,000 from the complainant to clear one Toyota Camry 2007 but converted the money to personal use.
In an exclusive chat with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, Maritime Police Command spokesman, Sadik Tunde said, “If you don’t want to fall victim, there are unions like Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), go to their registered office, meet with them and they will direct you aright instead of patronizing touts.”
Tunde also warned persons who have no business being at the port to steer clear of the facility to avoid being “branded as tout”.
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