The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized 31 arms of various types at the Tin Can port and Port and Terminal Multi-Purpose Limited (PTML) terminal in Lagos.
Addressing newsmen on Monday in Lagos the newly appointed Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, informed that two suspects have been arrested and are currently in custody.
Adeniyi explained that on the 5th of this month, a joint operation involving the Customs, Police, Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration (NDLEA), and the Customs Intelligence Unit was conducted at the PTML terminal.
He said during a thorough physical examination of a 40ft container, 10 dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunition were discovered concealed inside plastic drums.
Providing a breakdown of the seizures, Adeniyi listed them as: three units of new Pump Action rifles, one new unit of an armed rifle, six new different makes of pistols, including the Millennium G2, Sarsilmaz SAR-9X, Lugger Security-9, Taurus Banbridge G3C, SCCY CPX-2, and Taurus (63 pistol). Additionally, 14 empty magazines and 442 rounds of live ammunition were confiscated.
Expressing appreciation for the dedication and diligence of the customs officers, Adeniyi emphasized that their actions were guided by a sense of purpose and aligned with the administration’s vision for revenue generation and national security.
He also highlighted the role of the NCS in contributing to the overarching goals of the President Tinubu-led administration as outlined in the Policy Advisory Council document.
The Customs boss disclosed that two clearing agents, Mr. Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Ltd and Mr. Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the container, are currently being detained as suspects in connection with the seizure.
In addition to the arms seizure at PTML Customs command, the Tin-Can Island Port Command of the service also made a significant discovery during the same period.
The Customs boss said, acting on credible intelligence, a 40ft container was subjected to 100% physical examination in collaboration with relevant security agencies.
The examination revealed 18 arms, packets of cartridges, and rounds of live ammunition hidden inside plastic drums. The seized items included six different makes of pistols (two Sar9 Sarsilmaz Pistols, one Ruger American Pistol, and three Taurus G3c – Bainbridge Pistols) as well as 12 different makes of rifles (five Rz17hd Rifles, one Gamo Rifle, five Pump Action Rifles, and one Rz17 Tactical Rifle). Additionally, 10 packets of cartridges, two packets of 9mm ammunition, 100 rounds of 9mm Winchester ammunition, and one carton of Frontier cartridges were confiscated.
The acting CG further revealed that on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, officers of the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2 intercepted an unregistered Toyota Camry during a routine patrol along the Owode/Ajilete Axis of Ogun State. The vehicle was loaded with six sacks of charcoal, within which three pump-action rifles and 174 live cartridges were concealed. The driver, aware of the implications of his actions, fled into the bush and evaded arrest.
He said the service intends to hand over the outcome of their investigations, along with the seized items, to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
Adeniyi highlighted the connection between the proliferation of illicit arms and the increase in violent crimes such as kidnappings, robberies, and mass killings.
He however assured compliant traders and importers that the Customs service’s operations are aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, while also urging them to make sincere declarations and adhere to the import/export prohibition lists.
Adeniyi concluded by emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility, urging the public to provide information on illegal importation and cross-border movement of dangerous weapons that pose a threat to the nation’s safety and well-being.
