The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has seized a 40ft container laden with various categories of arms, as well as nine containers loaded with codeine at Onne Port, Rivers State.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made the announcement during a press conference at Onne, Rivers State on Monday.
While displaying the intercepted weapons and drugs to journalists, he revealed that the weapons were brought into the country from Turkey.
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He said the weapons and drugs were concealed in doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, leather bags with a total duty-paid value of N4,171,710,000.00.
Adeniyi added that the agency acted on credible intelligence in tracking down a suspicious 1×40-foot container from Turkey, on June 21.
The customs officers, while inspecting the container, found 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.
“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”, Adeniyi said.
Similarly, on June 29, 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 the duty-paid value of ₦13,915,710,000.00.
“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,” said Adeniyi.
The Comptroller General acknowledged the crucial support from local and international partners, as well as other government agencies.
He also warned those that will embark on similar ventures, stating that they will be kicked out of business.
“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 declared.
