Tension as EFCC Goes after NIMASA Staff

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Sunday Okobi

There was palpable anxiety on Thursday following the arrest of 10 employees of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was gathered that the reason for the arrest was not disclosed by the operatives of the commission.

Investigations however revealed that the affected members of staff were picked at the agency’s office in Lagos last Wednesday.

A source close to the affected staff alleged that they have been held incommunicado largely hail from a particular section of  and the country.
The source further said those arrested were some senior and junior staff of a sensitive department in the agency, as a result of the incident, it was gathered that there is anxiety over what the development portends.

According to the source, “The situation in NIMASA now calls for caution. On Tuesday morning when some employees had resumed for work, operatives of the EFCC came and arrested about 10 people. It was shocking because the reasons for the arrest were not disclosed. As we speak, they are in the commission’s office in Lagos. No one knows what would become of their fate. One of the people arrested is a top employee from the North.

“It is sad that since the sack of the former Director General,  Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, moves were initiated in order to establish allegations against him and those believed to be close to him.’’

Efforts to get the Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwajaren, was not fruitful, as several telephone calls put to him were unanswered