Eagle-eyed officers of the PTML Command of the Nigeria Custom Service have impounded an imported vehicle loaded with concealed live cartridges as well as expended ammunitions.
The vehicle, a Toyota Takuma Pickup, was said to have originated from the United States of America (USA) to the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) from where it was transferred to the Mile 2 off-dock terminal of the PTML where it was examined by the Nigeria customs officers. Three suspects were arrested.
Eagle-eyed officers of the PTML Command of the Nigeria Custom Service have impounded an imported vehicle loaded with concealed live cartridges as well as expended ammunitions.
The vehicle, a Toyota Takuma Pickup, was said to have originated from the United States of America (USA) to the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) from where it was transferred to the Mile 2 off-dock terminal of the PTML where it was examined by the Nigeria customs officers. Three suspects were arrested.
While handing over the three suspects that were arrested in connection with the seizure to DSC Amidu Suraju, the Divisional Crime Officer of the RoRo Port Police at the command yesterday, Public Relations Officer of the PTML custom command, Mr. Steve Okonmah said that the customs is set to scan the vehicle further to determine if there are other items concealed in it.
Okonmah as well DSC Suraju have also given assurances that investigations are still ongoing to unravel the misery behind the importation.
Speaking further on the seizure, Okomah said that, "efforts are being made to scan the vehicle to know if more items are concealed in the vehicle. Meanwhile, we have three suspects here, Opeifa Akinde, Henry Ugbekere and Olatunbosun Olusoji". He showed the suspects to newsmen.
"During the last briefing, the area comptroller made it very clear that nothing harmful or dangerous will come into this country through the PTML command", he recalled.
He also sounded a note of warning that any person who tries to circumvent the law will not find it easy at the command.
Meanwhile, the importer of the impounded vehicle, Mr. Opeifa Akinde, a lecturer, denied knowledge of the exhibits in the vehicle.
He claimed that he had bought the vehicle on the internet from an international auction company; Copat, and that he had paid the necessary shipping charges for it at Skye bank.
"I bought the car on the internet, I have never been to the US, I have been a civil servant for the past 30 years, the car arrived and I gave it to the clearing agent to clear, I have not even seen the car, I have no knowledge of it and I don’t deal in such things".
"I agree that what the Customs are doing is right, they need to check the nooks and crannies of any vehicle", he agreed.
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