Ports police cracks down on sugar smuggling syndicate

The Ports Authority Police, Eastern Ports Command, has arrested several individuals accused of port vandalism, theft, and diversion of goods, including sugar belonging to Bua Foods.

This comes as the Command reassures port users of adequate security to conduct their lawful businesses.

According to Acting Police Public Relations Officer, SP Anjugeuri Manzah, the Command had achieved significant successes in crime fighting, arresting and prosecuting suspects for various offenses, including the diversion of goods worth millions of Naira.

Manzah noted that crime rates are generally low within the Port, but the Command remains vigilant.

He said some of the arrested suspects attempted to cut aprons under the berths and steal in Rivers Port.

He added that currently, 13 suspects are in Correctional Services Custody, awaiting prosecution.

Detailing some of the arrests and recoveries made so far, SP Manzah said, “On 1st October 2024 at about 0350hrs acting on actionable intelligence, Police operatives attached to the Rivers Ports Police Division swooped on a location within Rivers Port where a truckload of sugar belonging BUA Terminal was diverted and sugar being re-bagged into different bags and four suspects Nicholas Ibe, 49 years old, Ibrahim Musa, 26 years old, Austine Ameibe, 43 years old and Prince Titus, 24 years old were arrested in the act.”

He said a total of 118 bags of sugar were recovered from the suspects, adding that all the suspects have confessed to the crime while efforts are being intensified to arrest other suspects at large.

Manzah, however, said the bags of sugar have been released on bond to the BUA Group because they are perishable goods while assuring that all suspects involved in the crime will be charged to court on completion of the investigation.

The Eastern Port Police Image-Maker also disclosed that men of the command arrested one Dikio Okomba, a suspected notorious vandal and currently being remanded at the Correctional Center while his prosecution is ongoing.

He highlighted other achievements of the Command including foiling terminal vandalism attempts, and recovery of a drifting boat, and listed items recovered from the suspected criminal to include five wooden boats, gas cylinders, cutters, saw blades, hammers, and other equipment.

Manzah assured the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority and other operators within the Eastern Port corridor of riding the area of all forms of crime while enhancing smooth business activities in the area.

“I want to reiterate that the Command will intensify the hunt for the fleeing suspects until they and their gangs are arrested and brought to justice.

“The Commissioner of Police Eastern Ports Police Command wishes to assure all port users that the Command is dedicated to providing a safe environment for the NPA Management and staff, ports facilities, port users and other critical stakeholders to carry out their day-to-day business and other activities peacefully.”

He used the opportunity to commend the harmonious working relationship between the command, NPA management, host community, sister security agencies, and other stakeholders within the Port.

Meanwhile, on cross-examination by journalists, one of the suspects, Austine Ameibe, who is a record keeper at the port admitted to aiding the diversion of the truckload of sugar by issuing them clearance at the port, but however, said it was done out of ignorance.