Eastern Ports Lose N25m To Wharf Rats

The Eastern Ports Police Command, Rivers State, says the ports in the region have lost over N25 million to the activities of criminals also known as wharf rats who specialise in stealing wheats meant for exports.
The command also disclosed that five wharf rats had been arrested in Rivers Port and two in Calabar Port and would be charged to court in accordance with the law.
It gave the names of the five arrested suspects in Rivers Port as Chibuike Iteno, aged 31; Lucky Obenuwoma (31); Jonathan Samuel (27); Ebenezer Kingsley (40), and Jonah Christmas (25).
Commissioner of Police, Eastern Police Command, Tami Everyn Peterside, made this disclosure in Port Harcourt while parading some suspects arrested in connection with the criminal activities.
“We are here to make sure that business and maritime activities strive in the Eastern ports. We have arrested five persons in connection with the stealing of wheats at ECO Mariu Terminal, Cross Rivers State, Calabar.
“The said property belongs to Niger Mills Calabar and estimated to worth about N6.8M”, Peterside said.
She disclosed that the total value of wheats stolen from the two ports was over N25 million.
The commissioner said the wheat was diverted to unknown destination, but through intelligent reports, the police arrested the driver and truck loaded with wheats and released to the owner, the Niger Mills Calabar.
She said the driver, one Akande Adeo and three others who conspired to commit the crime at Calabar Port have been arrested and charged to court.
She assured that the command would continue to partner with security and non security agencies within the ports to ensure that critical government assets, and lives and property of shipping community are protected.
“We are committed to providing a safe and conducive environment in the Eastern Ports for doing business”, she assured.
Peterside appealed to members of the host communities to support the port authorities in protecting important federal government infrastructure by giving useful information and reporting unwanted movements of persons around waters and ports to the police.

By: Chinedu Wosu