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ITODE AKARI
Operatives of the Eastern Ports Police Command in Rivers State have arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism of the Port and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited (PTOL) jetty within the eastern ports in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Police, Eastern Ports Command, CP Tijani Fatai, on Monday, said the suspects were intercepted by surveillance and patrol officers aided by some locals who caught them in the act.
According to him, operatives of the command recovered industrial welding equipment that the suspects reportedly used to cut thick metal pipes beneath the terminal, along with metal wreckage from a nearby vessel.
The CP added that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
He stressed that the Command remains fully alert and committed to securing the port corridors.
According to him, the police will not tolerate any form of vandalism or criminal activity around the ports, assuring the public and the ports authority that every necessary measure will be taken to prevent crime and protect the port environment.
He said, “Some suspected thieves have been disturbing the ports and vandalising government properties like metal rods around the Port and vessels. Yesterday, nemesis caught up with some of them who came around to steal and make some money for the festive period.
“With the help of some locals, our surveillance team were able to arrest five of them who came to vandalise metal rods under the PTOL jetty.
“Presently, an investigation is being carried out on the matter and at the end of the investigation, those found culpable will be charged to court.
“After the investigation, the suspects would be charged to court.”
The CP warned criminal elements to stay away from the wharf and urged port workers to carry out their legitimate duties without fear of harassment or attacks.
He emphasised that a wharf rat-free port remains a core mandate of the police, adding that patrol units and surveillance teams are fully deployed.
Fatai stressed that officers are constantly on the ground, engaging stakeholders and monitoring activities to ensure that no form of crime is permitted within the port environment.
He said, “My warning to wharf rats is to keep off the port area because we are all out to see that criminal activities are halted completely.
“My advice to criminals is that if they love themselves, they should relocate from the eastern ports to your houses.
“I am equally assuring the port staff that they are safe to go about their lawful activities because every security architecture has been put in place to ensure that, within this festive period and beyond, criminal activities would not be tolerated.”
He assured that the Command will continue to work closely with other security agencies to ensure effective policing of the ports, noting that collaboration among sister security agencies has always been key to safeguarding the command.
The CP further disclosed that since assuming office, he has made deliberate efforts to engage and familiarise himself with all agencies operating within the port environment.
“Over the years, the police have always synergised with sister security agencies in adequately policing the command.
“Since I assumed office, I have been going round familiarising myself with all the sister agencies that I met on the ground, it has been the practice, and I am very sure there is going to be a very robust relationship and engagement between us.”
