Customs Intercepts Cache Of Arms, Ammunition At Tin Can Island Port

FILE PHOTO
FILE PHOTO

 

Customs operatives attached to the Tin-Can Island port command of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS), have intercepted a cache of arms and ammunition 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.

The agent to the owner of the consignment has also been arrested and is presently helping security operatives to unravel the identities of those behind the illegal importation of arms.

The Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of the command, Mr. Yusuf Bashar, who made this known yesterday, 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.

The consignment was made up of over 980 rounds of live 9mm ammunitions and one Taurus pistol with number THX43606.

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.

The comptroller disclosed that all the contents of the box are prohibited items to be imported by any individual, adding that they are materials 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 in the custody of the Directorate of State Security Service just as investigation into the unwholesome importation is ongoing.

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