There tends to be an uneasy Calm in the nation’s polity with the wave of indiscriminate importation of illegal arms and ammunition, as well as other related vices by unscrupulous elements aimed to undermine the nation’s coexistence.
CGC Adeniyi and other senior officers displaying the seized arms
In recent times, the nation has been overwhelmed with seizures of large cache of arms and ammunition of varying degrees by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), illegally brought in through sea and air ports and citizens are wary of this trend and its potential consequences on the nation’s already worsened security situation.
The most recent seizure in series of such illegal arms import from Turkey is the 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum (Tomahawk) Semi-Automatic gun at the Airport Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
This is coming barely 48 hours when the NCS unveiled a large consignment of 844 Rifles and 112,500 Rounds of Ammunition that was intercepted at the Onne Port, Port Harcourt as showcased on Monday, July 1st, 2024, also coming from Turkey.
CG of Customs, Adeniyi addressing invited pressmen and guests
In same vein, the service also on March 15th, 2024 recorded seizures of 18 pieces of guns and 100 rounds of Ammunition made at the TinCan Port, as well as another interception of Four (4) Pistols and 445 Rounds of Ammunition and several empty magazines at same TinCan Port on January 25th, 2024.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR who was personally on ground to unveil the illicit consignment in the presence of the Press, all relevant sister agencies, and other critical stakeholders disclosed that the Onne and Lagos Airport seized consignment bore same semblance of origin coming from Turkey, noting that it was more than a coincidence.
He pointed that the showcase is another significant success of the service resolve to secure the nation’s national frontiers and to foster national security.
On how the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) seizure came to fore, Adeniyi explained that officials of the command acted on a credible intelligence from the service 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.
Comptroller MT Awe, CAC, Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, NCS. The CAC under whose watch the seizures were made
“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”, he explained.
According to him, having isolated the entire consignment was isolated for thorough examination, and it was established that four (4) packages were used to conceal 55 PIECES OF UNASSEMBLED JOJEF MAGNUM (TOMAHAWK) SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN.
He said, the unassembled rifles were concealed using SHOWER FAUCET.
Other Military and Paramilitary Accoutrements seizure
The Duty Paid Value of these illicit arms is put at Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Nine Naira and Twenty-Nine Kobo (N270, 888, 109.29).
Similarly, the elated customs boss said that one suspect is currently in custody in connection with the illicit arms import and he 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, Adeniyi said.
The CGC however assured the citizens that all Commands of the service are now placed on red alert to intercept any of such illicit arms importation.
Similarly, other seized items recorded by officials of the MMA Command on display at the press briefing 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 (N1,298,019,276.91) only.
Some military, paramilitary personnel at the event
He however gave the breakdown of the seized items to include: 148 pieces of Drones; 172 pieces of Ballistic Vest; 15 pieces of Ballistic Plate; one piece of Ballistic Helmet; eight (8) of Walkie Talkie.
Others are; 9,172 pieces of Military & Paramilitary Badges: 20 pieces of Camouflage Uniform; 100 pieces of Camouflage Vest; 172 pieces of Camouflage Cap, as well as 120 pieces of Binoculars.
The total Duty Paid Value of all the displayed items is however put at 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.
With 55 pieces of unassembled JOJEF MAGNUM SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN seized, along with the concealing items, the CGC at the event handed over the items 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, as well as the suspect arrested in connection with the illicit importation for further processing.
Cross session of stakeholders
He further said that the service will work diligently with other agencies of government to apprehend all other parties associated to this illicit importation, as he noted that, all other controlled items imported without the requisite end-user certificates are also seized.
Meanwhile, the CGC has praised the leadership dexterity of MMA Command Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller MT Awe, under whose watch the seizures were recorded, for display of high level of professionalism as regards how the seizures came to fore. He said the CAC was in constant touch with him during the process, as he extended his heartfelt commendation to the CAC and his dedicated officers and men for the interceptions.
“Their unwavering professionalism and commitment are truly commendable”, he said.
Adeniyi also lauded officers of the command whose diligence, integrity and dedication to duty resulted in the remarkable seizure and promised that they would be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and in same vein would summarily sanction those found culpable in the illicit importation.
He also expressed deep gratitude to the service various partners, both local and international, who provided invaluable intelligence that was crucial for this interception.
The CGC further said that the seizure is expected to send an unequivocal warning to anyone considering similar illicit importation, noting that the Service is relentless in its pursuit of securing the nation’s national frontiers and fostering national security.
He also noted that the NCS under his leadership will not condone any act that threatens this nation’s national security and economic prosperity.
+ There are no comments
Add yours