How Customs Seizes Another 470 Sophisticated Guns at Lagos Port
Following increase in the number of arms seizures in recent times, the Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Port ordered a detailed profile of all imports, especially those coming from the same source with previous seizures.
The Comproller,Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (RTD), said that all the profile of containers from Turkey eventually narrowed down to one 20ft container No. CMAU189817/8.
Terminal Operator was consequently directed to quarantine the flagged container for stricter analysis which was later transferred to the enforcement unit where about 100% examination revealed that 470 pump action rifles as against elbow plumbing materials on its bill of lading.
Importer of this deadly cargo is Great James Oil and Gas Ltd, while the vessel is MV Arkas Africa owned by Hull Blyth.
However, p02671 is total discovery of seized rifles within last eight month in 2017 .
According to him,the audacity of these criminals think that they can succeed in smuggling dangerous weapons into the country successfully it remain worrisome because leaving the consolation is that, the new Nigeria Customs Service is now more responsive and capable of meeting the challenges posed by these criminals.
“This is what the present Government requires of all citizens. We must rise up and remain vigilant to deal decisively with the enemies of the Nation”.
“Our seaports has become increasingly impenetrable, we suspect they may want to try other entry points but i want to assure Nigerians that the Service is presently at CRITICAL red ALERT following my directive to all Customs Area Controllers. We will do all possible best to bring down security challenges pose in this country minimum level,” he said
Hameed,said the policy of reward for good deeds and punishment for those who compromise will continue in the Service under my leadership.
Since this container belong to the same importer of the 1,100 rifles, the ongoing investigation will be reinvigorated to fish out all those directly or remotely connected with these dangerous importers.
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