… Impounds Containers laden with 844 Riffles, 112,500 Ammunition, Drugs, Others worth over N18b
The CGC and other invited security, agency officials inspecting the Seized Riffles and Ammunition
Indeed, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is leaving no stone unturned in one of its primary assignments to nip in the bud activities of fraudulent import by economic saboteurs when it recently impounded a 40 foot container laden with 844 Riffles and 112,500 Rounds of Ammunition in a carefully planned import.
The seizure which took place at the third largest revenue earning Port command of the service, Port Harcourt Area II (Onne) Command of the service has yet again underscore premium NCS placed against such nefarious import being regularly carried out by fraudulent elements and economic saboteurs whose activities threatens the nation’s coexistence.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR was however on ground to brief the press on this very significant seizure of arms and ammunition at the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne, Rivers State on July 1, 2024, where the 40 foot container seizure along with eight (8) others laden with various contraband medicaments and clothing were showcased.
The customs boss said that Acting on credible intelligence on June 21, 2024, Customs officers, while inspecting a suspicious 1×40-foot container from Turkey, found it to contain 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.
CGC Adeniyi giving his remarks
The CGC further revealed that the seized items which were concealed among doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags, comes with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4,171,710,000.00.
During the press conference, 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.”
In another development, the CGC added that on June 29, 2024, Customs officers intercepted eight 40-foot containers destined for a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. He noted that these containers 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.
CGC Adeniyi and Comptroller Babandede ‘Points Down’
“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,” said Adeniyi.
Comptroller Babandede, CAC, Onne Command showcasing the arm seizure
Comptroller General Adeniyi also commended the Customs Area Comptroller Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede, under whose watch the items were seized, and his team for the display of professionalism in their conduct, while he also acknowledged the crucial support from local and international partners as well as other government agencies.
Handover of some seized medicaments
“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,” Adeniyi concluded.
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