The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Mohammed Ari Ali, and the top echelon of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) have reiterated the essence of community policing in the society stating that ‘it is when there is peace and tranquility in the society through partnership and collaboration between the police and members of the public that development can take place”.
This was disclosed at the parley between the Police top brass and members of NAGAFF in Lagos on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
The AIG further charged NAGAFF members to approach his office anytime the needs arises against the backdrop of complaints by the freight forwarders noting that the Police plays critical role in trade facilitation.
Mohammed explained that the Maritime Police Command and the Western Port Authority Police Command are saddled with the responsibilities of addressing issues of insecurity within the port community operations
He stated that “My office will continue to partner with you here, we will continue to relate with you as friends, and we have each other to call on anytime there is challenges that needs to be addressed because we are partners in progress”
The AIG during his official visit to the headquarters of NAGAFF reaffirmed that; “Why is Apapa the hub of economic activities today in Nigeria? Why is Apapa the commercial nerve centre of not just Nigeria but the whole of Africa? It is because there is peace here.
“Community policing brings people of the community together and its problem solving. Our business can only thrive in an environment where there is peace and tranquility” he stressed.
Earlier in his remarks, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, the National President of NAGAFF, represented by Chief Simon Nwonu, Deputy National President of the association, said by the visit, “the AIG have set a new record in the harmonious relationship between the NPF and NAGAFF as a whole and I am sure our amiable and indefatigable founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam will surely have more stories to testify with, especially on the role of NPF in making the dreams of the founding fathers of NAGAFF come to reality.
“We are very delighted that you, Alhaji Mohammed Ari Ali now serve as the AIG Zone II, your come back is a huge blessing to NAGAFF and as co-stakeholders under the ports and logistics industry, we will continue to uphold to maximum cooperation with you as we wish you a successful tenure” he prayed.
Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, Founder of NAGAFF in his speech while welcoming Alhaji Mohammed Ali Ari to the Association’s headquarters recalled that their friendship dated back 2002 when he was serving as Divisional Police Officer in charge of Area B.
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.
Stakeholders that graced 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) among others.
Highpoints of the event was the decoration of the AIG Zone 2 with the NAGAFF lapel as a symbol of friendship and prayers for the Police top brass to get to enviable heights in his career .
Caption:
AiG Zone 2, Nigeria Police Force, Alhaji Ali Ari Mohammed (standing) while founder of NAGAFF,Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and Princess Chi Ezeh during the AIG visit to NAGAFF headquarters, Apapa Lagos on Tuesday
