The idea of having a special anti–terrorist and anti – bomb squad to deter importation of small arms and ammunitions through the nation’s seaports was first was hinted at by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Ports Authourity Command, Mr Hillary Okeke earlier in the year when he paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).
The only reason that was given by the Police chief was that the introduction of these Special Forces would aid security in the ports. He never –the- less justified the deployment as necessitated by the global trend of preventing any intending attacks through the seaports by the dreaded Al Qaeda group.
And coincidentally, his chief host who is also the chairman, board of trustees (BoT) of NAGAFF, Dr Boniface Aniebonam had a few days to the commissioner’s visit raised alarm about the activities of Policemen who often stop and extort money from owners and freight forwarders of already cleared containers; all in the name of security. He had also told his visitor that the petition against the Police had already been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police.
It was the same Dr Aniebonam who spoke last week as the chairman, BoT of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) about the possible backlash over the presence of a task force on combating of illegal importation of small arms, ammunitions and light weapons.
Dr Aniebonam had raised alarm that the presence of the task force is already causing apprehension among stakeholders in the maritime sector, especially those who deal in cargo delivery at the ports. He had argued that already, there are statutory government agencies that already involved in the day-to-day running of the ports and that there was nothing that the Task Force was coming to do that existing agencies such as : Police, Customs, DMI, NAFDAC, SON, NDLEA and others are not doing currently.
According to the freight forwarder-politician, as much as it is agreed that there may be influx of questionable importation and dangerous cargoes as elections are approaching, inviting yet another agency will further make the attainment of 48 hour cargo clearance unachievable.
But coincidentally, in Onne port in Rivers state about two weeks ago, was sent by the task force which is headed by Major General, C. R. U. Ihekire (retired) that a vessel loaded with arms had berthed on the country‘s shores.
The body had in a letter which was addressed to the Customs Area Comptroller, Area 2 Command, Onne Port, Rivers State, alerted the authorities about the arrival and berthing at Onne, of a vessel; MV Kotar Nazar, with voyage number VOYNZR017, allegedly laden with small arms, ammunition and light weapons among other illegal contraband goods.
The body had taken it further by saying that on the strength of its findings, it had directives from its national office in Abuja for a ”100 per cent inspection” of the affected consignment, even as it stated it has sufficient reason to believe that the ship may be carrying “contraband and illegal goods, particularly small arms, ammunition and light weapons.”
As a maritime sector newspaper, we share the fear that has been expressed by the political party. We also do not think that deploying another government agency to the port will any way help the cause of government in is desire to see the nation’s seaport become more user-friendly.
We are worried at the rate at which all manners of agencies take advantage of situations to attempt an in-road into the ports. An example that readily comes to mind is the fight for recognition which NESREA is currently engaged in. The agency; just like the task on small arms has been clamping down on ships on the excuse that they bear toxic wastes into Nigeria via the ports.
Just like the task force, NESREA is currently requesting to be in the ports to perform its statutory functions and in the quest blackmailing sister organisation by accusing them of aiding and abetting escape by vessels that were detained for allegedly bringing in toxic wastes.
The nation’s seaports are already saturated with several agencies, and we are convinced that if government wants to ensure that small arms, ammunitions and the likes do not enter the country through the ports, it should make use of existing agencies.
The interception of 13 container load of sophisticated arms ammunitions at Apapa port last week was not by the Task Force. The feat was recorded by agencies that are already in the ports.
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