Seized Arms And Ammunition
By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has again made another significant seizure of arms and other military and Paramilitary accoutrements worth ₦1,568,907,386.48 at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, who announced this today, Wednesday, 3rd of July, 2024 at press briefing in Lagos said, “the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command acting on credible intelligence from our local and international collaborators, on 19 June 2024, deployed its personnel to man all the exit points effectively and mandated all examination officers to conduct 100% examination of all consignments.
“During the examination, an item was discovered and suspected to be part of a rifle from a console consignment with airway bill number 235-58737755, emanating from Turkey. Consequently, the entire consignment was isolated for thorough examination.
“At the end of the examination, it was established that 4 packages were used to conceal 55 PIECES OF UNASSEMBLED JOJEF MAGNUM (TOMAHAWK) SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN”.
According to CGC Adeniyi, the unassembled rifles were concealed using SHOWER FAUCET. “The Duty Paid Value of these illicit arms is Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Nine Naira and Twenty-Nine Kobo (₦270, 888, 109.29).
“A suspect is currently in our custody in connection with this illicit arms importation and is assisting with an ongoing investigation to uncover the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
“Analysis of this and similar recent seizures indicates that some unscrupulous Nigerians based in Turkey are purchasing, packaging and exporting these illicit arms to Nigeria. Intelligence further revealed that they are exploring new frontiers to perpetrate their nefarious activities. Still, I can assure Nigerians that all our Commands are on red alert to intercept any such illicit arms importation.
“Also, on display this afternoon are some Military and Paramilitary accoutrements improperly imported without end users’ certificates with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Nineteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira and Ninety-One Kobo (₦1,298,019,276.91) only.
“The breakdown of these items is as follows: Drones 148pcs, Ballistic Vest 172pcs, Ballistic Plate 15pcs, Ballistic Helmet 1pc, Walkie Talkie 8pcs, Military & Paramilitary Badges 9,172pcs, Camouflage Uniform 20pcs, Camouflage Vest 100pcs, Camouflage Cap 172pcs and Binoculars 120pcs.
“The total Duty Paid Value of all the displayed items is One Billion Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million Nine Hundred and Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty-Six Naira and 48 Kobo (N1,568,907,386.48) only.
“Relying on the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the following decisions have been taken on the illicit items.
“The 55 pieces of unassembled JOJEF MAGNUM SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN are hereby seized, with the concealing items.
“The items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser, for diligent investigation and prosecution.
“The Suspect arrested will be handed over to the centre for further processing; we will work diligently with other Agencies of Government to apprehend all other parties to this illicit importation.
“All other controlled items imported without the requisite end-user certificates are hereby seized.
“Officers whose diligence, integrity and dedication to duty resulted in this remarkable seizure would be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023”, Adeniyi stated.
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