CITIZENS COMPASS–In a proactive approach to the proposed nationwide protest scheduled to take off from 1st August 2024, the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command under the leadership of CP Olanrewaju Olawale Ishola, has stated that while the Command recognizes the constitutional right of peaceful assembly, the Command will however not hesitate to strictly enforce the right of free passage on all Ports’ access roads for Port users and the general public to ensure continuous economic activities in and around the nation’s Ports.
This was disclosed in a statement e-signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Isaac Hundeyin, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The statement further revealed that the Command will not tolerate any untoward action from any group or individual capable of degenerating into an imbroglio thereby hampering Ports operations.
It noted that “All human and operational assets have been strategically and adequately deployed in and around the Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, Lekki Deep-Sea Port, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (phase 1&2), Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, Oil logistics and Offshore support Terminals, Oil Tanker Terminals, Private and Government owned Jetties, Bonded Ware Houses, Transit Trailer Parks, Niger-Dock integrated port and free zone on the snake island and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Corporate Headquarters in Marina, Lagos, which constitutes the Areas of Responsibility of the Western Ports Police Command.”
The Command therefore, warned miscreants planning to take advantage of the protest to unleash mayhem, to steer clear of Ports facilities as any form of incursion through the waterways, forceful entrance into the Port complexes, or road blockage by individuals or groups will be met with fierce resistance according to the law.
“We however, assure commitment to continuous engagement with Maritime stakeholders, unions, and the business community while leveraging actionable intelligence and synergizing with sister security agencies to forestall the breakdown of law and order,” the statement concluded.
