In its determination to stem increasing terrorism, banditry and insecurity in the country, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of arms and ammunition at the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne.
Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this during a media briefing at Onne, Rivers State on Monday, July 1, 2024.
He revealed that acting on credible intelligence on June 21, 2024, Customs officers, while inspecting a suspicious 1×40-foot container from Turkey, discovered that it contained 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.
Adeniyi further told newsmen that the items, which were concealed among doors, furniture, plumbing fittings and leather bags, have a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.171 billion.
During the press conference, the CGC asserted that “This interception underscores our commitment to national security and public safety. We remain vigilant and committed to our duty. Three suspects have been detained in connection with the seizure, with a thorough investigation underway to ensure all involved face legal consequences.”
Also, on June 29, 2024, Customs officers intercepted eight 40-foot containers destined for a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. These containers contained 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine, 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol, and 720 bales of used clothes with a Duty Paid Value of ₦13.915 billion.
Read also: Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre champions recycling over green taxation
“These seizures result from our robust Risk Management System and collaboration with intelligence communities both locally and internationally. The container bearing the arms and ammunition will be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution. Licenses and permits of warehouses and terminals involved have been suspended, and officers found complicit will face severe sanctions,” Adeniyi said.
Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede and his team for their professionalism just as he acknowledged the crucial support from local and international partners, as well as other government agencies in and around the Command’s jurisdiction.
“This seizure serves as a strong warning to others contemplating similar misadventures. We will run you out of business; the NCS continues to demonstrate its dedication to protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring the security of its citizens,” Adeniyi stated.
