BY GODWIN OBI
At last, it has been confirmed that no police officer has right to stop anybody and begin to search his or her phone, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Mohammed Ari Ali, has clarified, warning that the law did not give Nigerian police right to do so.
The AIG who made the remark during his official visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Apapa , Lagos, on Tuesday, advised the general public not to succumb to such intimidation and indeed, violation of human rights to privacy.
AIG Mohammed ,who is generally seen as coming home to Apapa ,haven headed the Area B Command of the force on some occasions,noted that community policing brings members of the public and the police together,and helps solve p said,”It is when there is peace and tranquility in the society occasioned by partnership and collaboration between the police and members of the public that development can take place” .
The AIG who made these remarks during his official visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Apapa , Lagos, on Tuesday,
AIG Mohammed ,who is generally seen as coming home to Apapa ,haven headed the Area B Command of the force on some occasions,noted that community policing brings members of the public and the police together,and helps solve problem together.
He assured that the members of NAGAFF,and the general public of his readiness to attend to their challenges ,and that is only when they approach him with their problem,adding that ” You have a friend to rely on in me”.
The Zone 2 police boss urged members of the public to resist a y police officer demanding to search your phone on the roads.
His words,”While we have the right to arrest anywhere,we do not have the right to search your phone.When you are accosted by the police in the cause of doing your legitimate job ,you have a right to resist them” .
On the issue of detention of suspect for more than 24 hours as stipulated by law ,the AIG affirmed that it is unlawful ,but added that there is an exception to the rule,and that depends on the weight and gravity of the offense
L-R Founder , NAGAFF,Dr Boniface Aniebonam (Ozo Ebubechukwu),AIG Zone 2,Mohammed Ari Ali,and deputy national president of NAGAFF,Mr.Semion Nwonu, yesterday at NAGAFF Headquarters,Apapa,Lagos
He said, “after our inauguration in 1999, AIG Hassan Bala (retired) handed NAGAFF and its members over to Area B Police Command, Mohammed Ari Ali, who was then a Divisional Police Officer for Area B and now an Assistant Inspector General of Police has kept an eye on us.
“We at the leadership of NAGAFF have been in close contact with him in his various movement orders and promotions which shall include but not limited to serving as DCP Operations Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Rivers and Delta States and today as Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2.
“The boy is good we fondly call ourselves, you are welcome home and we are very proud of you” Dr. Aniebonam stated.
He noted that the presence of the AIG Mohammed Ali on NAGAFF Headquarters,is not only to celebrate him,but also to celebrate the Nigerian Police
His words,”Police is an angel of God.We cannot do without the police , because they play important role in the securing of lives and property”
Dr. Aniebonam stated emphatically that NAGAFF has never been associated with criminality. He said since the inception of the organization,no police has come into the NAGAFF compound to effect arrest.
He said his long friendship with AIG Mohammed is not based on the need to cover up criminality,adding that the only way you can help your friend in authority is to do the right thing always.
There were complains from both freight forwarders and stakeholders alike over what they generally described gross impediments to trade facilitation in the port and outside the port.These, according to them include arrest of cleared continues from the port , unnecessary delays and interference with clearing process amongst others.
NAGAFF Deputy National president Sea ports, Chief Afam chukwuma ,Ibrahim Tanko, chairman NAGAFF 100% Compliance ,National president of AMATO,Chief Remo Ogungbwmi,and others complained of the challenges they with the marine police in and outside the ports.
Responding,the AIG ,said since the issues raised are outside his jurisdiction,he woul relate with the AIG in charge ,so that something be done about them , particularly the issue of street urchins otherwise known as area boys,who cause mayhem on the roads.
Present at the occasion includes, Mr. Chidiebere Enelama, Chairman NAGAFF Board of Trustees, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, Chairman NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, Chairman, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) ,Chief Afam Chukwuma,Deputy National president Sea port , NAGAFF,Princess Joy Eze,member Board of Trustees,CRFFN,Mr Igwe Kingsley,National Secretary, NAGAFF,among others
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2023-10-10
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