The frequency with which arms are being imported but intercepted at the entry points in Nigeria is a source of worry for the Controller General of Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), retired Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali. The Custom boss has therefore directed all Custom Area Controllers to be alert.
Another of such seizure of arms cache was made today, Thursday, at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.
The Custom boss, who addressed news men at the Tin-Can Island Port premises over the interception of 470 pump action actions rifles at the port said that it has become pertinent to keep all the border posts in Nigeria alert.
The interception of the arms came barely one week after the command intercepted a 20-foot container load of 1,100 pump action rifles.
This seizure is the third in the series of containers loads of arms seizure at Tin-Can port alone and fourth in the country within eight months.
Following the increase in the number of arms seizure in recent times, Ali said that Custom Area Controller, Tin-Can Port, Apapa, Lagos, Comptroller Bashir Yusuf had ordered a detail profile of all imports, especially those coming from Turkey the same source with previous seizure.
“The profile of container from Turkey was eventually narrowed down to one 20ft container No CMAU189817/8. The terminal operator was consequently directed to quarantine the flagged container for stricter analysis.
“It was later transferred to enforcement unit where 100 percent examination revealed 470 pump action rifles as against elbow plumbing plastics on his bill of lading.
“The importer of this deadly cargo is Great James Oil Limited, while the vessel is MV Arkas Africa owned by Hull Blyth. The discovery bring to a total of 2671 rifles seized within the last eight months of this year.”
The Custom Boss said that the audacity of the criminals to think that they can succeed in smuggling these dangerous weapons into the country successfully remain worrisome.
He said, however, that the new Nigeria Customs Service is more responsive and capable of meeting the challenges posed by the criminals.
Ali appealed to Nigerians to rise up and remain vigilant to deal decisively with the enemies of this nation, stressing that as seaports are increasingly impenetrable, he suspects they may want to try other entry points.
“I call on well Nigerians to support the service by providing information that will help us perform even better.”
He said that since the container belong to the same importer of 1,100 rifles, ongoing investigation will be reinvigorated to fish out all those directly or remotely connected with the dangerous importers.
“The policy of rewards for good deeds and punishment for those who compromise will continue in the service under my leadership.”[myad]
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