The two customs officers who were declared wanted by the Nigeria Customs Service in connection with the 661 pump-action rifles recovered in the Mile 2 of Lagos State on Monday have surrendered to the authorities.
The suspects, Abdullahi I, with service number 44483 ASC, and Odiba Haruna Inah, with service number 133386 ACIC, submitted themselves to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in Ikeja yesterday.
The two men were declared wanted on Tuesday by the Customs management for allegedly clearing a container laden with the 661 pump-action rifles.
A source said the men showed up at the FOU office on Wednesday, adding that they had been detained and were undergoing interrogation.
The source explained that the importer, clearing agent, and escort, who were arrested along with the arms cargo on Monday, were also making useful statements, saying appropriate actions would be taken at the end of investigations.
This development is coming on the heels of report that the female officer who authorized release of the consignment, one Rose Abetiambe, an Assistant Controller of Customs, has been in detention at the FOU cell in Ikeja since Monday.
Sources informed SHIPS & PORTS DAILY that the releasing officer did not deny authorizing the release of the container loaded with the arms “after physical examination” was performed on it.
The sources said Customs authorities are preparing charges to prosecute Abetiambe and others involved in clearing the container.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Customs Federal Operations Unit, have laid siege to the Apapa port following the seizure of the pump action riffles.
