By Asuquo Nuwak
In pursuant of the mantra of renewed hope of the current administration’s vision, the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniji, made significant impact in the area of anti-smuggling operations which has resulted in the interception of various prohibited items ranging from dangerous arms and ammunitions at various commands and formations.
The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniji, who made the disclosure during a media briefing at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos, recently, also stated that on 5th July 2023, through thorough examination of a 40ft container by a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security DSS, National Drugs Law Enforcement Administration NDLEA and Customs Intelligence Unit at Ports Terminal and Multi Services Limited Command, I0 dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunitions were concealed inside Plastic drums.
In his address, the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniji, said, since assuming the role of Acting Comptroller-General, dedicated officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their responsibilities, which has led to uncovering of some smuggled arms and ammunitions while on duty at various commands and formations.
At a well attended media briefing, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniji, pointed out that the recent achievements to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security is in recognition of the role and significance of Nigeria Customs Service in contributing to the overall objectives of the President Bola Tinubu led administration.
The breakdown of the various prohibited items intercepted by some dedicated and diligent officers include 3 new Pump Action Rifles and one new unit of an arm rifle, one new Sarsilmaz SAR-9x pistol, one new Lugger Security-9 pistol, one new Tauru Banbridge G3C pistol, one new SCCY CPx-2, one new Taurus (63 pistol), 14 empty magazines and 442 rounds of live ammunitions.
Speaking further, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniji, noted that the clearing agents, Mr Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Limited and Mr Joseph Nwadiolor, who was expected to take delivery of the container, are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizures.
Similarly, within the same period, the Tincan Island port command of Nigeria Customs Service, while acting on credible intelligence report, a 1x40ft container was subjected to 100% physical examination with relevant security agencies at the ports.
He noted that the physical examination conducted with security agencies uncovered 18 arms, packets of cartridges and rounds of live ammunitions inside Plastic drums.
Further breakdown of seized items include 6 different makes of pistol, ranging from 2 Sar9 Sarsilmaz pistols, one Rugger American pistol, 3 Taurus G3C-banbrige pistols and 12 different makes of rifles, ranging from 5 Rz17hd Rifles, one Gamo Rifle, 5 Pump Action Rifles, one Rz17 Tactical Rifle, 10 packets of cartridges, 2 packets of 9 mm ammunitions, 100 rounds of 9 mm Winchester ammunition, one carton of Frontier cartridges and 2 packets of Buckshot ammunition.
He also disclosed that the officers of the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2, intercepted an unregistered Toyota Camry loaded with 6 sacks of charcoal, which was used to conceal 3 Pump Action Rifles with 174 live cartridges during a routine patrol along Owode/Ajilete axis of Ogun State.
The Customs Boss, Bashir Adewale Adeniji, disclosed that the driver of the vehicle, who knew the content he was conveying and the attendant consequences of his action before the law, jumped into the bush and escaped arrest.
He recalled that a total of 31 rifles were intercepted within the first 2 weeks in July 2023, adding that the investigation into the seizure is inconclusive.
According to him, the outcome of the investigations together with the seizures will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
He expressed great displeasure over illicit arms obtained by non-state actors which have boosted the proliferation of small arms and ammunitions across the country.
This, according to him, account for the increase in violent kidnapping, robberies and mass killing in the society.
The Nigeria Customs Service, according to the him, has re-strategized it operations, while officers have raised their levels of professionalism and have keyed into the mantra of renewed hope aimed at facilitating legitimate trade.
He assured all the compliant traders and importers that they have nothing to fear.
His words: “We have re-injected new tactics to tackle the economic and security menace caused by recalcitrant importers and their agents.The Nigeria Customs Service’s human resources and logistics are collectively harnessed to combat and prevent economic sabotage”.
He implored importers and agents to be patriotic by making sincere declarations, and to be properly guided by the import/export prohibition lists.
He therefore urged the public to see security as a collective responsibility. He added that the Nigeria Customs Service will appreciate information of illigal importation and cross border movement of dangerous weapons used to create mayhem in the nation.