The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command over alleged theft and criminal conversion of container Nos. FFAU 2082021; CAIU7022981; MSDU 7666283 by Ekko Premier Container And Allied Service, Okota, Lagos.
NAGAFF, in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the 100% Compliance Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko in Lagos on Saturday, implored the Police Chief to immediately commence criminal prosecution against the terminal for ignoring his consequential order following the outcome of a painstaking investigation on the said containers which was duly communicated to the management of the terminal.
The association further alleged that for its intelligence network, the containers would have been spirited away on the night of 20th March, 2025 adding, “We have physical and material evidence to prove their nefarious and criminal intents.”
NAGAFF reminded the AIG that in his position as the keeper of order and security in the Maritime industry, he initiated mediations since November 2024 saying, “Your office wrote the Nigerian customs service for clarification on the status of the containers.”
It continued, “You obtained clear and unambiguous affirmations that the said containers were duly allocated to Elevate Moore Ventures through the auction process. The terminal rejected your letter, questioning your authority in that regard. They insisted on getting a letter from the Customs to ascertain the authenticity of your investigations.
“The customs wrote them affirming your findings, and ordering them to release the containers to Elevate Moore Ventures. Still, they refused, ignoring you, your summons and that of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Note Sir, that the criminal intents of this terminal management was laid bare when they breached established protocols to lift those containers without a valid Delivery Order from the shipping line. Till date, the other “allotees” as claimed by the terminal have never shown up, not even to the customs to claim ownership.
“This confirms our suspicion that the terminal management had decided to steal those containers. There is also a serious suspicion that those containers may have been tampered with. One is believed to have been stuffed with cement blocks. The other completely empty. That could be why they have been dodging your invitations.
“You may have to write the customs to ascertain the veracity of this allegations. The terminal management need to be arrested as the examination is done. Trusting in your just and immediate action.”
Photo: Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator, NAGAFF’s 100% Compliance Team.
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