Maritime Police recovers over 287 stolen containers, intercepts others cleared with fake documents in one month

“We cannot fold our hands and allow the Country to run aground due to continued loss of revenue especially at the ports, not even now that there is a huge debt burden on the nation”

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Maritime Police Command Lagos has disclosed that it has within one month recovered a total of 287 stolen empty containers belonging to Maersk Line Nigeria and MSC respectively and other startling discoveries.

The very advanced technology deployed by the force it said aided in the interception of 1 x 40 feet container with number MRSU-5797660 cleared with forged documents in connivance with allied security agents at the port.
The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) , Maritime Command, Mrs Susan Akem-Horsfall while giving a breakdown of the commands scorecard in the last one month to journalist on Tuesday disclosed this.

The intercepted container

According to her, documents recovered from the suspects read that the content of the container was as follows: Two used Toyota Hiace buses with chassis numbers TRH2019013526 and TRHU2002467311. Six hundred and fifty (650) packages of used auto spare parts and engines.

On the MSC, Maersk Nigeria Ltd and other Shipping Companies the AIG revealed that one Izuchukwu Udeogwu ‘m’ who she said is a kingpin in empty container theft was arrested and has been charged to Court.

Akem-Horsfall who took over mantle of leadership from AIG Adepoju Ilori last July said she has encouraged her officers and men not to relent in their efforts at fighting criminals within the maritime domain, reminding them that corruption will always fight back when fought with vigour.

She said, “It gives me great honour to address you today, 22 August, 2023 and to abreast you with the achievements of the Command since my assumption of office as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police. Maritime Police Command.
The Command performs both Administrative, Supervisory and Operational functions over ancillary Formations like the Port Authority Police Command. Western and Eastern Ports in Lagos and Port Harcourt respectively. The National Inland Waterways Police and the Marine Unit.

“Upon my assumption of duty, my first activity was to address officers and men of the Command to be Professional and dutiful, and that I will not tolerate any act of indiscipline as we cannot fold our hands and allow the Country to run aground due to continued loss of revenue especially at the ports, not even now that there is a huge debt burden on the nation.

“Improvement in our intelligence gathering and the deployment of cutting-edge technology in policing our waterways. This led to the arrest of Ix 40ft container that is on display here.

“Acting on a credible information/intelligence, men of the Maritime Police Command on Friday 18 August, 2023 at about 2330hrs. intercepted a container with number MRSU-5797660 Ix 40ft.

“The information revealed that the container was cleared with forged documents in connivance with allied security agents at the port. The document recovered from the suspects read that the content of the container are as follows:- Two used Toyota Hiace buses with chassis nos. TRH2019013526 and TRHU2002467311, Six hundred and fifty (650) packages of used auto spare parts and engines,”
Identities of the suspects were disclosed as follows, “Two suspects namely, Obiora Udenkwo “m” aged 43yrs and Chika Igwingu ‘m’ 49yrs were apprehended and on interrogation they confessed that there was no vehicle inside the container but it was carrying Robert Soap and that the documents were doctored. The suspects will be charged to court for prosecution upon the completion of investigations.

“Based on this information, the Police suspected that more non-dutiable items are concealed in the container.

“This unpatriotic attitude of these individuals is a deliberate attempt to hamper the economic growth of this country as well as to sabotage the efforts of the President in boosting the economy and the finance base of Nigeria.

Horsfall and officers of her Obalande Command

“I have advised and encouraged my men not to relent in their efforts at fighting criminals within the maritime domain. I also made it known to them that they are fighting organized crime, where highly placed and influential individuals in the society are involved. This will help approach them with tact. As we all know, when you fight corruption, it will always want to fight back.”