Lagos – The Commissioner of Police in charge of Western ports, Celestine Okoye has revealed how officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) frustrate investigations by the force.
According to him, lack of cordial relationship among the various security agencies in the port is the reason why a customs officer would frustrate the intelligence gathering of a police officer on importation of dangerous goods through the seaports.
He made the revelation during a working visit by the executive of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) led the the National President, Increase Uche recently.
He alleged that the police is often referred to the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali who is in Abuja over matters that could be handled by the commands hence the delay and frustrations.
In his words, “Our security agencies are polarized, sometimes we write to Customs just to assist us in investigation, but they would be referring us to the CG to go and get clearance.
“Sometimes, even after seeing the evidence in the cargo, the customs would still refuse to share information; they would rather refer us to the CG and you know that the moment you are referred to the CG, they have indirectly killed the investigation.
“When I came to Apapa, I visited other agencies and asked for their corporation and for us to synergize, when agencies synergize, there would be a level playing ground, things would move well, but the customs are not helping issues” he fumed.
He stated that the force would not be deterred from carrying out its statutory duty as enshrined in the constitution but added that the cooperation of other security agencies are required.
Refuting the allegations, the Customs Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Tin can command, Uche Ejeseime has said that the allegation is untrue and strange.
Uche, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) said that all the security agencies in the port were working for the Federal Government and towards the same goal therefore would not hinder anyone from performing its duty.
He said, “Cooperation of security agencies in the port is one of the cardinal and important factors of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“No Area Controller will not respond to such request from a police officer, may be they went to the wrong person.
“We are going towards the same goal and our goals can only be achieved through collaborative efforts. So, I don’t think it is entirely correct with due respect to the CP,” he quipped
