Customs impound arms shipment in Lagos

ayodele johnson

February 18, 2016 10:39 AM

The country is understandably weary of this kind of incident as it faces its first long fight against acts of terror being perpetrated by islamic militants, Boko Haram

Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd.)

The Nigeria Customs Service have made a big seizure in its duties as it has been reported to have impounded an arms shipment consisting of a pistol and 980 rounds of ammunition which originated from the United States of America in Tin Can Port in Lagos.

According to Customs Area Controller of the command, Yusuf Bashar said the weapons were concealed in a container with other personal effects, including two cars.

He said, “The arms were discovered concealed in a one by 40 foot container with number CLHU452754/2. Five other items which include one camouflage fez cap, one camouflage belt, one pair of camouflage hand gloves, a pair of black boots and army plastic container also concealed in the same container, were impounded.

“This seizure was made on December 30, 2015. Already, a suspect in connection with the container is in the custody of the Department of State Security for further investigation. While the arms and ammunition will be handed over to the police, the impounded container remains with the customs enforcement unit.”

He explained that concealment of any kind is a crime, stressing that the customs trade portal was accessible to any interested person from any part of the world.

READ: Customs releases new rules on disposal of seized goods

Bashar described concealment of any kind as a crime, stressing that the customs trade portal was accessible to any interested person from any part of the world.

“Prohibited items are indicated on the portal and these include arms. All over the world, trade in arms across borders is not carried out by private individuals but through the military and other authorised personnel.

“Those behind this shipment clearly have a sinister motive considering the present security situation in the country. We are all aware of how motorists are being attacked daily on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos. Together with the police and the DSS, we will get to the root of this case to ascertain if there are further collaborations within or outside Nigeria,” he added.

The country is understandably weary of this kind of incident as it faces its first long fight against acts of terror being perpetrated by islamic militants, Boko Haram.

ayodele johnson