Police Arrest 5 For Vandalising Jetty At Rivers Port

Operatives of the Eastern Ports Command of Nigeria Police, have arrested five persons suspected to be involved in the vandalisation of a jetty belonging to the Ports and Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL), located inside the Rivers Port Complex in Port Harcourt.

PTOL handles containerised, bulk and general cargo as well as warehousing and trucking facilities – logistics, shipping containers, reefer containers, general cargo, bulk cargo, Ro-Ro, warehousing and trucking.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of Eastern Ports, Tijani Fatai, told journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday that the arrests were made possible with the support of locals living in communities around the Rivers Port.

Fatai stated that the suspects were caught while vandalising iron pipes beneath the jetty, pointing out that upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspects would be charged to court.

The Commissioner of Police said: “We are here to brief the press and members of the public about activities going on within the Ports environment.

“As we all know, it is well known that we have thieves across the riverine area, disturbing area and vandalising government properties like all these iron rods around the ports and the boats under the river. These activities have been going on for a very long time.

“Yesterday, nemesis caught up with some of them who came around maybe, because of the fact that we are having festive period. They are looking for money to engage themselves within the festive period and they tried it.

“With the help of the locals and our intelligence team around that area, we were able to arrest five of them, who came to vandalise iron pipes under the PTOL jetty precisely. Luck ran against them and they were arrested.

“Presently, investigation is being carried out on the matter and at the end of the investigation, we will arrive at a conclusion of the matter. This is just to tell you that we are not sleeping; we are equal to the task especially around the Eastern Ports. We are not resting on our oars.”