By Godwin Oritse  & Favour John

Two workers of A.P Moller Terminal and thirteen (13) others have been arrested for attempting to ‘fly’’ a container out of the terminal.

The suspects have been handed over to the Police for prosecution.

Vanguard investigation revealed that despite the strict security measures put in place by the management of the terminal, a lot of sharp practices by some staff in connivance with agents are still going on in the terminal.

Efforts to speak with the Managing Director of the terminal was futile as he was said to be attending a meeting.

Confirming the development to Vanguard, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the port, Mr. Innocent Ekweozor, said that before his men could intervene in the matter, another unit of the Port Police had picked the suspects for further investigation.

“My office only heard it as ‘flying news’. Of course we visited the spot upon having the information, but unfortunately, we were unable to gather cogent details about the attempt because some other unit had reportedly taken up the case”, Ekweozor said

A source at the security department of APM Terminal who pleaded anonymity said that the suspects who attempted to fly the container out of the terminal were arrested, and some were later dismissed. Some of the suspects who were found to be innocent of the attempted theft were however released and returned to their duty posts.

Beside the sharp practices by some agents, the security officials of the terminal are also having challenges with Government security agencies operating in the terminal who have refused to comply with the access control policy of the terminal.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, APMT spokesman, Mr Bolaji Akinola told Vanguard that any body who is found wanting in any criminal activity will be handed over to the police.

Akinola stated the management of the terminal does not condone or encourage corruption in any form.

“Any body found to be involved in any unwholesome practice will not only be dismissed, he will also be handed over to the law enforcement agents” he added.

In a similar case at the Port and Terminal Multi-purpose Limited (PTML), two persons were also arrested for stealing a gear knob from a truck that was being discharged from a ship.

The suspects who were picked by the CCTV camera have been handed over to the Police for further investigation.

At the ENL terminal, two stow aways were also arrested when a diplomatic vessel called at the terminal.

At the Rahamaniyya oil and gas depot, three pirates attempted to board a vessel ‘M .V Marix’ in the month of March, but they were over powered as security operatives within the vicinity of the vessel were able to wade them off.

Security operatives are currently having challenges in maintaining a secured and safe port system as criminal are always devising new means to beat security checks at the ports.

Besides the effort of security operatives, the Port Police Command has acquired new dogs with a view to beef up the security situation at the ports.

Member of the Port Facilities Security Officers (PFSO0 forum are working round the clock to ensure security in the their facilities.