By Uzor Odigbo
Following the influx of wharf rats in some major terminals at the two seaports in Lagos, freight agents under the aegis of Association of Registered Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (AREFFN), has kicked against Police raids at the facilities, saying it would militate against trade.
It was gathered that operatives of the Nigerian Police Force at port level had embarked on constant raiding of port users at the terminals following the raising cases of cargo vandalism.
Finding further revealed that scores of freight forwarders, customs brokers and shippers have been allegedly arrested by officials of the Ports Police, a situation the AREFFN kicked against.
It was also gathered that operatives of the Port Police constantly patrol Five Star Logistics Terminal and Ports and Cargo Handling Service , Tin Can Island port.
Chairman, Tin Can Island Port, AREFFN, Comrade Darrick Ige kicked against the alleged clampdown on freight agents by Police authority, even as he added that the action could hamper smooth ports operations and cargo clearance from the Lagos seaports.
He noted that the legitimate agents have been harassed by police operatives, pointing out that the Wharf Rats can be fished out only when the authority synergise with the stakeholders and not to treat them like criminals.
According to him, the clampdown on agents and shippers might trigger some rounds of protest against the Port Police, adding that the trade facilitation is at high risk due to the development.
The arrest, ostensibly in connection with the influx of wharf rats into the port in recent time, had also led to pocket of arrests of some criminal elements, multiple sources told our correspondent over the weekend.
Meanwhile, speaking on the development, a senior police officer at the Roll on Roll Off (RoRo) terminal in Tincan, who preferred anonymity, said he was unaware of such arrests at the port.
He however added that it was necessary to rid the port of unwanted visitors that can cause security threat to port operations.
