The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service yesterday in Lagos said it has intercepted a container and a Toyota Vehicle that were concealed with live ammunitions, military wares, two pump action rifles and 7,500 gun pellets which were allegedly imported from the United States of America.
Displaying the seized items during a press briefing at the command, the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Customs, Mr. Yussuf Bashir said the container and the vehicle were intercepted on 29th of November based on suspicion by the enforcement unit of the command.
Bahsir told news men that on examination, one of the containers with number MSCU718443-6 was said to have had a Nissan Armanda (20007 model) with chassis number 5NIAA08A69N709779 which was discovered to carry two powerful riffles; an Omini American Tactical rifle with number AR48634 and a Moasberg American pump action with number U648018.
In addition to these two rifles, Comptroller Yussuf said the customs equally discovered in the same container; 3,500 pieces of premier Hollo point gun Pellets and another 4,000 pieces premier Hollo point Air Pellets, 26 packages of already-made military foods, 9 pieces of military bullet-proof vest, 1 piece of military vest , one piece of military gas mask with two peers of glasses, one piece of pistle pouch, one piece of rifle pouch and two peers of military boots.
Also, a vehicle, a used Toyota Corolla 2004 Model with Chassis number 2T1BR32E54C309841 was discovered with a magazine containing 10 live rounds of ammunition (Harnady 40 SW) while the vehicle was being discharged from the ship.
The customs already had a suspect;, Mr. Christian Mbachi arrested in connection with the container. The Customs boss told news men that the item and the suspect will be handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation. He said that no suspect has been arrested yet, in connection with the items found in the vehicle, but assured that investigation is going on and it would equally be handed over to the DSS.
Speaking, Compt Bashir said according to customs laws, the military wares and the other items were under absolute prohibition. He however said that the container was importer by a Nigerian and classified as personal effects. Ordinarily, he said that personal effect containers do not attract any customs duty.
"The gas mask and the live ammunition could be used to cause real havoc; nobody knows what will happen during Christmas if all these should enter into the city. The read- to-eat food shows that the owner is ready to hide several days without need for food"
"It's a matter of national security and we all must do all we can to safeguard this country of ours. If an individual is given a Nigerian passport to travel out and live under the umbrella of Nigeria and it's immunity, while coming home, rather than coming home with machinery that can add value to the country he came with these"
"These items were found inside a personal effect container that government has graciously removed duty on. But you can see the way a Nigerian responded to that action by bringing in pump action and even a gas mask", he lamented.
"Things like these are absolutely prohibited and should not be found in the custody of anyone who is not authorised, no green passport holder is allowed to purchase this on the open market, we would arrest anyone that tries to bring it in" he warned.
Bashir was flanked at the briefing by the Tin Can Port Director of Department of State Security (DSS) Mr. Julius Odey and the Deputy Controller Enforcement of Customs; Mr Kabiyesi Akintola.
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