How Customs uncovered another 440 rifles imported into Lagos

Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) again on Tuesday uncovered and intercepted a 20-foot container laden with 440 guns of various sizes and designs.

The discovery came less than three months after the service also intercepted over 600 arms on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

According to Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Monday Abueh, who briefed newsmen on the development, the offensive cargo was shipped from Turkey and a suspect has been arrested in connection with the arms import.

“Right in my hand is a sample of pump action of various designs. Based on intelligence report, this command identified the container and the container was intercepted even before declaration,” Abueh said, displaying a sample of the discovered arms.

Explaining how the discovery was made he said, “On opening the container, we discovered that they used POP powder to conceal the importation but based on intelligence report, we were able to know that the container was laden with arms. The particulars of the consignee are still being kept under wraps for security reason.”

The consignment, according to the Zonal Co-ordinator of Zone A of Customs, was declared as white cement to cover up the illicit import.

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It was learnt that the container with number PONU 210024, was uncovered at the Zenith bonded terminal on Monday, from where it was moved to the command’s enforcement unit on Tuesday.

According to Abueh, the seizure was made following intelligence reports.

He further said investigation into how the consignment got into the country and who was behind the import was ongoing.

The arms include 100 pieces of Black Tornado single barrel rifles; 75 pieces of silver magnum single barrel rifles; 50 pieces of alter pump action rifles; 215 pieces of black single barrel rifles; and 164 pieces of rifle nozzles. Others are 103 pieces of arms grips; 110 pieces of trigger, 113 pieces of arm guard, 107 pieces of bridge block; 122 pieces of Allen keys, 117 pieces of assemble butt and 516 (50kg) bags of POP powder.

 

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