Customs operatives attached to the Tin-Can Island port command of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS), have intercepted a cache of arms and ammunitions allegedly being smuggled into the country by criminally minded importers.
The arms and ammunition were said to have been carefully concealed in a container that was shipped into Nigeria from Europe.
One person who claimed to be agent to the owner of the consignment has also been arrested.
He is presently helping security operatives to unravel the identities of those behind the illegal importation of arms.
The Customs Area Conmptroller, (CAC) of the command, Mr. Yusuf Bashar who made this disclosure said that the healthy collaboration amongst security agencies working in the command led to the interception.
Bashar also said that the Customs will continue to synergize with all relevant agencies to ensure the security and safety of Nigeria.
Over 980 rounds of live 9mm ammunitions and one Taurus pistol with number THX43606 were part of the items found.
Also contained in the seized container were a pair of black boot, a military face cap, a pair of camouflage hand gloves and an army coloured plastic container.
He added all the contents of the box are prohibited items to be imported by any individual saying that the are material that can only be imported by the military.
“We believe that there must be a sinister reason for the importation of the prohibited materials. ”he added
According to Bashar, “there is a network for moving and distributing these arms and ammunition.”
He said that the cargoes that were shipped from the United States were discovered in a one by forty foot container with number crhu452745/2.
He also disclosed that the arrested suspect was with the Directorate of the State Security Service just as investigation into the unwholesome importation is ongoing.
Bashar declined to answer certain questions from pressmen saying that he could not give certain information so as not to jeopardize the on-going investigation.
Meanwhile, the command collected a total of the N24.8billion for the month of January of 2016 surpassing the figure of N20billion of January 2015.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/customs-intercepts-cache-of-arms-at-lagos-sea-port/133869.html#plL79wPHMtkDfHo1.99
