The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 31 fifles and hundred of rounds of ammunition across various Commands within the Country in the first two weeks of July, 2023.
Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this to Maritime Journalists at a media parley in Lagos on Monday.
Adeniyi attributed the successful operations to the commitment, deligence and perseverance of officers and men of the NCS, who are being guided by the policy objectives of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to him, a joint operation on July 5th, 2023, involving the Police, DSS, NDLEA and the Customs Intelligent Unit at the ports terminal and Multi Services Ltd. Command resulted in uncovering the concealment of many dangerous weapons after examining a 40ft container.
Following the discovery, two clearing agents suspects, Shokunbi Olarenwaju and Joseph Nwadiodor are currently in detation for further interrogations.
The Acting CGC traced the rising cases of violent kidnappings, robberies and wonton killings in the Nigerian society to procurement of illicit arms and ammunition by non-state actors.
“Illicit arms obtained by non-staye actors have boosted the proliferation of small arms and ammunition across the country. This accounts for the increase in violent kidnappings, robberies and mass killings in the society.
“Let me state at this point that the Service has restrategised it’s operations, while our officers have raised their level of professionalism, and have keyed into the mantra of renewed hope aimed at facilitating legitimate trade.
“In doing this, we are assuring all complaint traders and importers that they have nothing to fear.
“We have reinjected new tactics to tackle the economic and security menac caused by recalcitrant importers and their agents. The Service’s human resources and logistics are collectively harnessed to combat and prevent economic sabotage.” Adeniyi said.
He urged members of the public to also take responsibility for the security of the country by providing information with regards to illegal importation and cross border transactions involving dangerous weapons.
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