[UPDATED] Arms Proliferation: Again, Nigeria Customs Intercept Cache of Arms At Lagos Port

Seized illegal arms - Credit: Channels TV

Barely three months after the Nigerian Customs intercepted 661 pump action rifles in Lagos, the Customs once again says its operatives have intercepted another container laden with four hundred and forty (440) pieces of assorted Pump Action Riffles at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, South-West Nigeria.

It was gathered that the terminal where the container was found has been shut down, while the quantity of the arms cache is yet to be determined.

Recall that the Nigerian Customs Service in January 2017 seized 661 pump action rifles imported into the country illegally from China.

The rifles were concealed with steel doors and other merchandize goods in a 40 feet container, and were later handed over to the Nigerian military.

Container bearing the seized arms

More facts has emerged aabout the cache of arms seized by the Nigerian Customs Service at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos state. Below is a press release by the Nigerian Customs:

TINCAN ISLAND PORT INTERCEPTS LARGE QUANTITY OF
PUMP ACTION RIFFLES CONCEALED WITH POP CEMENT

Sequel to the renewed vigour and enthusiasm for effective Service delivery by the Nigeria Customs Service, the Tincan Island Command intercepted a total of four hundred and forty (440) pieces of assorted Pump Action Riffles.

Speaking with Journalists at the Enforcement section of the Unit, the Customs Area Controller, BASHAR YUSUF who introduced the subject to the media, stated that  the seizure was effected through intelligence which necessitated the segregation of the 1 x 20ft container to the Enforcement Unit for physical examination.

Speaking further, the Zonal Co-ordinator Zone A, ACG ABUE, M. N mni  who represented the Comptroller-General, commended the controller for the spectacular seizure and described the Area Controller as a quintessential officer who have been contributing immensely to the success story of the Service.  In his narrative, he confirmed the earlier assertion by the Area Controller that the seizure was based on intelligence.  

The Customs Area Controller gave the breakdown of the seizures as follows;

i. ONE HUNDRED  (100) PIECES BLACK TORNADO SINGLE BARREL RIFLES.

ii. SEVENTY-FIVE (75) PIECES SILVER MAGNUM SINGLE BARREL RIFLES.

iii. FIFTY (50) PIECES OF ALTER PUMP ACTION RIFLES.

iv. TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN (215) PIECES BLACK SINGLE BARREL RIFLES.

v. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR (164) PIECES OF RIFLE NOZZLE.

vi. ONE HUNDRED AND THREE (103) PIECES OF ARMS GRIPS.

vii. ONE HUNDRED AND TEN (110) PIECES OF TRIGGER.

viii. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN (113) PIECES OF ARM GUARD.

ix. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN (107) PIECES OF BRIDGE BLOCK.

x. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWO (122) PIECES OF ALLEN KEYS.

xi. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN (117) PIECES OF ASSEMBLE BUTT

xii. FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN (516) 5OKG  BAGS OF POP CEMENT.

Answering questions from the media on the circumstance surrounding the seizure, the Customs Area Controller hinted that the importer declared the consignment as ANTISERA AND CANNULE (CHEMICAL FORMULAR).

He stated that based on intelligence, the 1 x 20ft container No. PONU 210024/1 was brought down to the Enforcement Unit of the Command, where a 100% physical examination was conducted which revealed all the items mentioned earlier.

Speaking further on the status of the seizure, the Customs Area Controller stated that investigation is still ongoing with a view to unraveling those behind the importation and that further profiling of the importer will be carried out to get other details.

Signed:

 

UCHE EJESIEME

 
Public Relations Officer,
For: Customs Area Controller
Nigeria Customs Service
Tin Can Island Port
Apapa – Lagos.