… Intercepts N9.6 billion Drugs
Daud Olatunji
The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 844 assorted rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition at Onne Port, Rivers State allegedly from Turkey.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi,disposed this during a media briefing on Monday at the Onne Area 2 Command.
Adeniyi explained that the seizure was the result of meticulous intelligence gathering and risk assessment.
He added that the contraband, concealed in a 40-foot container labeled MAEU-165396 originating from Turkey, was intercepted on June 21, 2024.
The rifles and ammunition were hidden among innocuous items such as dolls, furniture, and plumbing fittings.
“The intercepted container has a duty paid value exceeding N4 billion,” Adeniyi stated.
He revealed that three suspects are currently in custody, with a detention warrant secured from a competent court of justice.
“A thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all culprits involved face the full weight of the law,” he added.
The seized arms and ammunition were handed over to the National Coordinator of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Johnson Kokumo, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, during the briefing.
Kokumo praised the NCS for its vigilance and effectiveness.
“This is an indication that we can achieve remarkable results when we work together,” he noted.
In addition to the arms seizure, Adeniyi also announced the interception of another container with a duty paid value of N9.6 billion, loaded with Tramadol, codeine, and other illicit drugs.
Furthermore, 720 bales of second-hand clothing, valued at N144 million, were also confiscated.
The customs boss reassured that the NCS would continue to uphold its trade facilitation process without compromising national security.
He emphasised the agency’s commitment to curbing illegal activities and protecting the country from the dangers posed by such contraband.
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has expressed concerns over the persistent issue of arms proliferation, illicit drugs, and money laundering.
Represented by Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Ribadu highlighted that these challenges continue to fuel criminal activities across Nigeria.
He assured that the federal government is committed to deploying necessary resources to ensure a stable and prosperous country.
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