Tony Iju, Police take inventory of damage by hoodlums

Tony Iju Nwabunike, National President, ANLCA

Indications on Monday were that the Hon. Tony Iju Nwabunike led National Executive Committee (NECOM) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has finally taken full control of the national secretariat of the association (otherwise known as Dikko Inde House), three weeks after it was illegally invaded by hoodlums allegedly led by the suspended members of the association in company of Police officers from the Zone Two Police headquarters, Lagos.

This came as the Nigeria Police on Monday took records of all damages and stolen items carted away by the hoodlums.

Recall that on February 16th, 2022, the ANLCA’s national secretariat in Lagos was for the third time in less than two years attacked by hoodlums allegedly led by the expelled members of ANLCA, among which were; Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, Taye Onyeniyi, John Ofobike and others.

The group in the watchful eyes of the policemen from Zone Two and FESTAC Division allegedly beat up staff of the Secretariat, while embarking on destruction, stealing and stripping the facility of its valuables.

It was disclosed that the invaders were caught on camera drinking and celebrating their take-over of the ANLCA national secretariat. They were also alleged to have also appointed acting NECOM members.

But at the reopening of the ANLCA’s national secretariat by the Nigeria Police on Monday, it was discovered that several items were stolen and damages done to properties at the ANLCA House by the illegal invaders.

When our correspondent visited the ANLCA’s secretariat, it was discovered that six exotic vehicles in the premises belonging to members of the association had their tyres deflated and their batteries stolen by the hoodlums.

Inside the building, all portrait pictures of the National President of ANLCA, Tony Nwabunike, Vice President, Dr Kayode Farinto and that of the National Secretary, Babatunde Mukaila were all stolen.

At the National Secretary’s Office, files and documents were carted away including a laptop Computer which contains ANLCA’s membership details and other information.

In an attempt to break into the National President’s office, the aluminum door was smashed, the broke into the President’s guests office and smashed a 52 inch flat screen television among other destruction.

As at the time of filing this report, the total cost of items lost to the invaders were not yet ascertained.

With the level of destruction and threat to life with arms , observers wonder what will become of the association if these characters are pardoned or elected to run the affairs of the association.

This came as it has been disclosed that the on-going peace talk between the expelled ANLCA members and the NECOM may be heading for the rocks.

Sources disclosed that two contending issues are now on the front burner of the negotiation table. First, the inclusion of five BoT members from the aggrieved members side into the new board. It was observed that one of the frontline fighters in the aggrieved group, Prince Taiye Onyeniyi has served out his two tenures of 12 years as BOT member and may not benefit if the proposal is adopted.

Secondly, the legality of the Western Zone elections as conducted by Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha. It was alleged that Taiwo Mustapha only appointed the chairman of the Western Zone, without conducting proper elections as enshrined in the ANLCA’s Supreme Constitution. If for the sake of peace the NEC allows it to stay as wanted by the group, it may likely sparked- up another round of legal battles between duly constitutional elected members and the other group.

It was further gathered that both parties are still at the negotiation table, while the Police have ordered the reopening of the ANLCA’s national secretariat based on a court judgement.