From Suleiman Amagbor, in Lagos
A major haul of arms and ammunition has been intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne as eagle eyed officers seized containers of arms and ammunition containing 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition concealed among goods imported into Nigeria from Turkey.
Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi told journalists on Monday that his men had received credible intelligence on June 21, 2024 and laid ambush for such suspicious containers.
According to the Customs Boss, his officers swung into action affirming that while they were inspecting a suspicious 1×40-foot container from Turkey, they found it to contain 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.
The items according to Adeniyi were concealed among doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags, with a total duty-paid value of ₦4,171,710,000.00.
The CGC asserted that “This interception underscores our commitment to national security and public safety. We remain vigilant and committed to our duty. Three suspects have been detained in connection with the seizure, with a thorough investigation underway to ensure all involved face legal consequences.”
Also, he disclosed that on June 29, 2024, Customs officers intercepted eight 40-foot containers destined for a bonded warehouse from Onne Port that contained 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine, 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol, and 720 bales of used clothes with the duty-paid value of ₦13,915,710,000.00.
He said “These seizures result from our robust Risk Management System and collaboration with intelligence communities both locally and internationally.
The container bearing the arms and ammunition will be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution.
Licenses and permits of warehouses and terminals involved have been suspended, and officers found complicit will face severe sanctions.”
Comptroller General Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Comptroller Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede, and his team for their professionalism.
He also acknowledged the crucial support from local and international partners as well as other government agencies.
“This seizure serves as a strong warning to others contemplating similar misadventures. We will run you out of business; the NCS continues to demonstrate its dedication to protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring the security of its citizens.” He added.
