ANLCA vs Nigeria Police Force: MMAC Secretariat Crisis Deepens

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has again sounded the alarm over what it describes as the unlawful sealing and occupation of its Murtala Muhammed Airport Cargo (MMAC) Chapter Secretariat by the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

President of ANLCA, Sir Emenike Nwokeoji

The association warns that the continued closure is not only crippling legitimate trade but also draining government revenue, while raising troubling questions about the integrity of law enforcement at Nigeria’s busiest gateway airport.

Western Zone Coordinator of ANLCA, Alhaji Femi Anifowose, lamented the “sad losses” already inflicted on the federal government and licensed agents, stressing that the disruption of operations at the MMIA cargo terminal undermines Nigeria’s economic interests.

“This closure is questionable, unjustifiable, and it is sabotaging the nation’s revenue drive,” he declared during a protest staged barely a week ago.

Despite repeated appeals through institutional channels, ANLCA says the Airport Police Command has remained defiant, ignoring incontrovertible evidence of ANLCA’s ownership of the property. The association accuses the Commissioner of Police at the airport of refusing to yield, suggesting that the NPF may be benefiting from the illegal shutdown while government coffers and legitimate businesses suffer.

The association insists that its 2013 Constitution vests ownership and control of all ANLCA properties in its Board of Trustees (BOT), and only the BOT has the legal authority to manage such assets. It further cites a Federal High Court ruling directing parties in related disputes to pursue arbitration mechanisms within its constitution, mechanisms the police have allegedly disregarded.

ANLCA Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan

With tensions escalating, ANLCA wonders why the Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, appears unconcerned despite all well meaning appeals made to the NPF in the past. This is even as our reporter learnt that ANLCA is presently preparing a formal petition that demands the IGP’s immediate intervention. Should the IGP fail to act, the association warns it will convene a World Press Conference to expose the “illegal occupation” to the global community and mobilize mass protests across its Western Zone.

“This MMAC Chapter issue must stop, one way or the other,” ANLCA declared, describing the situation as an act of oppression and institutional compromise. The association insists that the Inspector-General must call his officers to order, or risk dragging the Nigeria Police Force into a scandal that undermines both national security and economic stability.

Western Zone Coordinator, Alhaji Femi Anifowose and Secretary, addressing the press during the recent peaceful demonstration in Lagos.

MMIA Chapter Chairman, Tope Akintoye

Attempts to clarify with the police authority regarding its interest in locking up a business secretariat and refusing to engage ANLCA’s BoT, who are custodian of the secretariat has so far proved abortive as the police communication channel remains unresponsive. While a telephone call to DCP Anthony Okon, the FPRO was not answered, a text message on the issue sent to his WhatsApp was also unattended to up to the time of going to press.

The unfolding crisis sets the stage for what could become a major confrontation between one of Nigeria’s foremost maritime associations and the country’s top law enforcement agency. For now, the silence of the IGP is understood as deafening, and the longer it persists, the louder ANLCA’s call for justice will echo, both at home and abroad.