The Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Custom Service on Monday intercepted a cache of arms and live ammunitions at the terminal located at the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos.
The PTML Customs Area Controller (CAC) Mr. Tajudeen Olanrewaju who was briefing journalists at the command in Lagos yesterday said that the arms and ammunitions were concealed in a used GMC suburban vehicle,(1999 model), with chassis number 764650, imported from the United States of America.
The Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Custom Service on Monday intercepted a cache of arms and live ammunitions at the terminal located at the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos.
The PTML Customs Area Controller (CAC) Mr. Tajudeen Olanrewaju who was briefing journalists at the command in Lagos yesterday said that the arms and ammunitions were concealed in a used GMC suburban vehicle,(1999 model), with chassis number 764650, imported from the United States of America.
Giving a breakdown of the seizure, the CAC said that in the course of examining a container, Number PONU8071808, the customs examination officers discovered; 1 Smith&Wesson shotgun, 1 revolver, and 1 Bushnel Sniper rifle (model 710) hidden inside the container.
A breakdown of the live ammunitions also revealed that there were: 52 rounds of 38mm caliber, 48 rounds of 9mm caliber, 36 rounds of 9.0mm caliber, together with two empty magazines were found in the vehicle.
Olanrewaju said that the importer of the cargo is still at large, but he assured that the clearing agent in charge of the job (names withheld) from Chimbudike Shipping Agency has been arrested.
Speaking on the security implication of the cargo, the custom boss noted that the seizure is remarkable as it is coming at a time that the country is facing a lot of security challenges.
"This is an extra ordinary interception because we are in a period of security in Nigeria, so any arms and ammunition coming into the country will be of importance to border officials"
"We are going to establish whether there is a pattern for this, and be able to have a monitoring system to see where these weapons end up and what is the use of these weapons" he said
He pointed out that this is the security aspect of the function of the Nigeria Custom Service and that it is a further indication that the officers of the PTML command are up and doing.
"Beyond seizures, we are concerned about the security aspects, we can seize this but what could have happened if the guy had entered the country with this?", Olanrewaju wondered.
According to him, the model of concealment was very skillful and it would have been difficult for anyone to detect.
"We have not seen the importer because importers do not come to the port to clear the goods, they are represented by the agents, so it is the agent that we have arrested and he pleaded ignorance, the document nothing was declared, it was just household and vehicle, so the agent is helping us in our investigation" he said.
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