Maritime police vow to crackdown on criminals at ports, resolute on deepening investors confidence

…Lauds AIG Egbetokun for restoring sanity, safety on waterways

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Maritime Command, AIG Garba Musa Yusuf, has restated the Command’s resolve to rid the Nigerian ports of criminals and criminality.

AIG Yusuf therefore assured that collaborative effort of the security agencies at the ports will restore confidence of local and foreign investors, adviced criminals to stay away from Nigerian ports.

The AIG was responding to journalist during an interactive session at his office at Force Headquarters Annex, Obalende, Lagos,on Tuesday.

He maintained that a safe and secured environment will be sustained within the maritime sector going by the collaboration being sustained by the various security agencies within the port corridors.

The Command under his watch he however assured would continue to synergise with other security agencies in achieving a safer and secured ports across the country.

He said, “Security is the responsibility of all citizens. We as security officers in the Police Force, Army, Navy, Customs and other agencies work closely together to succeed. We share intelligence, we compare notes and cross check findings. No Security agency can work in isolation and succeed, we of necessity, collaborate in all we do to achieve meaningful success.”

Maritime police officers on patrol

Yusuf declared that his officers and men are working round the clock to enforce the law and make sure that the ports and access roads are made free from miscreants and other criminal elements who are lurking around the sea ports and terminal areas are denied of access.

His words, “We are firmly resolved in carrying out our primary duty which is the protection of life and property. All citizens and foreign investors in the maritime Industry and outside of it are assured that they are safe and their investments secured.

“We know that when we deny them access to the ports, they device other means to gain entry into operational areas but we are far smarter and more clever than they could ever be; that is why we are always beating them in their own games.

“The time has come for all criminals and crime inclined deviants to mend their ways, desist from crime and live better lives as crime does not benefit anyone.

“As a criminologist and the various trainings and experiences I have gained in the art of Policing in Nigeria and other countries, no criminal has anywhere to hide under my watch; they either repent from crime or we shall smoke them out and put them behind bars”

The maritime police boss however charged media practitoners on objectively in their reportage, endeavor to hear from all parties before going to the press.

Portraying the image of the country in good light before the world he said should be a watchword for the journalists.

Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

The AIG further gave kudos to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun for restoring sanity and safety on Nigerian waterways and highways.

“You will agree with me the tremendous progress has been made in the area of safety and security on our waters, especially around the Coastal states. This is because the IGP is very concerned and always ready to supports all efforts and initiatives intended to make sure that those who trade or travel along the waterways are safe.”