Customs Intercepts Another 440 Rifles in Lagos

Barely three months after the interception of over 600 arms on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, the Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, yesterday, intercepted another 20-foot container laden with 440 guns of various sizes and designs.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Monday Abueh, said the offensive cargo was shipped from Turkey, adding that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the arms import. Abueh said: “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. “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 ‘Á’ of Customs, was declared as white cement to cover up the illicit import. Consignment discovered at bonded terminal Vanguard gathered that the container with number PONU 210024, was discovered at the Zenith bonded terminal on Monday, from where it was moved to the command’s enforcement unit, yesterday. 

Abueh said the seizure was based on intelligence reports, adding that 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. 

Speaking on the development, the command’s spokesman, Mr. Uche Ejieseme, said investigation into owners of the consignment would continue, after which the container will be handed over to the relevant authorities. He said  further profiling of the importer would be carried out to get more details on previous shipments by the importer.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali had said the importation of such items were under absolute prohibition, and therefore illegal. “Such deadly contravention of the law is even more unacceptable considering the fragile security situation in some parts of the country. “Already three suspects have been arrested in connection with this illegal importation,” News Agency of Nigeria quoted the comptroller-general as saying.   

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/another-440-rifles-uncovered-lagos/

Nigerian Army Arrest Two Boko Haram members in Kogi

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday paraded 17 suspected criminals including two Boko Haram members arrested in Okene, Kogi State.

The suspects were paraded before journalists at the Command Army Record in Lokoja with various dangerous weapons, including 10 AK 47 rifles, locally made guns, 12 masks of different sizes, munitions, a local dagger knife, pump action guns, grenade and five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The suspects were paraded before journalists at the Command Army Record in Lokoja with various dangerous weapons, including 10 AK 47 rifles, locally made guns, 12 masks of different sizes, munitions, a local dagger knife, pump action guns, grenade and five Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs).The Commandant, Army Records, Brig.-Gen. Henry Ayamasaowea, while parading the suspects said in the last three weeks, troops have been working round the clock alongside other security agencies in the state to end kidnapping and the invasion by insurgents.The Nigerian Army on Wednesday paraded 17 suspected criminals including two Boko Haram members arrested in Okene, Kogi State.

He said all the 17 suspects, including Fulani bandits terrorizing the area were arrested in Okene and environs, noting that following the capture of Sambisa forest by the military, many of the insurgents have invaded Kogi State.

“Boko-Haram members have scattered and many of them have made their ways to Kogi State. We took the security situation very serious and that is why we went after them,” he said.he Commandant, Army Records, Brig.-Gen. Henry Ayamasaowea, while parading the suspects said in the last three weeks, troops have been working round the clock alongside other security agencies in the state to end kidnapping and the invasion by insurgents.

He said all the 17 suspects, including Fulani bandits terrorizing the area were arrested in Okene and environs, noting that following the capture of Sambisa forest by the military, many of the insurgents have invaded Kogi State.

“Boko-Haram members have scattered and many of them have made their ways to Kogi State. We took the security situation very serious and that is why we went after them,” he added.