Customs Intercepts Arms, Ammunition in Lagos

Customs Intercepts Arms, Ammunition in Lagos 

Joyce Mmereole Okoli

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted different kinds of arms that include pump-action rifles, pistols and ammunition at the Tin Can Island Port and the Ports and Terminal Multi Services Limited  (PTML) in Lagos. 

The Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR  revealed this at a press briefing on monday at  the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos.

Adeniyi said the arms were imported into the country from the United States of America and heading to the South Eastern part of Nigeria. 

The acting CG stated that the discovery was made during a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security, the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration, and the Customs Intelligence Unit at the PTML command of the NCS.

While talking on the seizures made, the Custom boss said it includes 3 new Pump Action rifles and one new unit of an armed rifle, 6 new different makes of pistols, one new millennium G2 pistol, one new sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol, one new Lugger Security-9 pistol, one new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol, one new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, one new Taurus (63 pistol), 14 empty magazines and 442 rounds of live ammunition. 

Adeniyi stated that two clearing agents, Mr Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Ltd and Mr Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the container are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizure. 

His words; " I stand before you today to highlight the recent achievements of the NCS in our ongoing efforts to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security. Some of our dedicated and diligent officers uncovered some smuggled arms and ammunition while on duty at various commands and formations.  

“On the 5th of July 2023, during a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security, the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration, and the Customs Intelligence Unit at the Ports Terminal and Multi Services Limited Command, a thorough physical examination of a 40ft container was conducted.”

"Upon examination, dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunition concealed inside plastic drums. The exact details are: 3 new Pump Action rifles and one new unit of an armed rifles; 6 new different makes of pistols; 1 new millennium G2 pistol; 1 new sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol; 1 new Lugger Security-9 pistol; 1 new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol; 1 new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, and 1 new Taurus (63 pistol); 14 empty magazines and 442 rounds of live ammunition”

Adeniyi also disclosed that within the same period, the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Service, while acting on credible intelligence, subjected a 40ft container to 100% physical examination with the relevant security agencies at the ports and uncovered 18 arms, packets of cartridges and rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums.

Adeniyi itemized the Tin Can arms seizures to include; 2 Sar9 Sarsilmarz Pistols; 1 Ruger American Pistol and 3 Taurus G3c – Bainbridge Pistols. 12 different makes of riffles including 5 Rz17hd Rifles; 1 Gamo Rifle; 5 Pump Action Rifles; and 1 Rz17 Tactical Rifle; 10 packets of cartridges; 2 packets of 9mm ammunition; 100 rounds of 9mm Winchester ammunition; 1 carton of Frontier cartridges; and 2 packets of Buckshot ammunition.

While expressing delight at the robust activities of Customs personnel under his maiden weeks as Customs helmsman, Adeniyi commended Customs officers for their diligence and perseverance discharging there duty through the recent operations.

“Our actions within the NCS have been driven by a deep sense of purpose and guided by the mantra of renewed hope, which underpins the current administration’s vision", he stated.