The
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 470 pump action rifles imported
from Turkey at the Tin-Can Island port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of NCS, Hameed Ali,
told journalists in Lagos on Thursday that the seizure was the fourth at the
Lagos port within eight months.
“Following increased arms seizures in recent
times, the Customs Area Controller of Tin-Can Port, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar,
ordered a detailed profile of all imports, especially those coming from Turkey.
“Customs decided to follow profiling approach
of 100 per cent examination on containers, especially those from Turkey.
“Tin-Can Customs command intercepted another
20ft container No CMAUI817/8 containing 470 pump action rifles immediately the
container landed from the port of origin to Nigerian ports.
“The terminal operator was consequently
directed to quarantine the container for analysis.
“The container was later transferred to
Enforcement Unit of the command where 100 per cent examination revealed it
contained 470 pump action rifles.”
Mr. Ali said the Bill of Lading of the
container indicated Elbow Plumbing Plastics.
According
to him, the importer of the cargo is Great Oil and Gas Ltd and the vessel named
“MV Arkas Africa” owned by Hull Blyth.
He added that NCS was capable of meeting the
challenges being posed by smugglers and urged Nigerians to “remain vigilant to
deal with enemies of the country.”
The comptroller-general assured Nigerians that
Customs officers were now on alert, following the directive he issued to
customs area controllers on Wednesday.
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