Less than 48 hours after intercepting a container of arms at Onne Port, Rivers State, the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced another significant seizure at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
This latest interception involved 55 unassembled pieces of Jojef Magnum semi-automatic shotguns and a cache of ammunition, all imported from Turkey with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N270 million.
The consignment, discovered at the cargo section of MMA, was concealed within a shipment that included military hardware and accouterments.
Acting on credible intelligence, Customs officials conducted a thorough examination and found the illicit items hidden in packages disguised as shower faucets. One suspect has been apprehended and is aiding in the ongoing investigation.
The CGC highlighted recent successes in arms seizures across Nigeria, underscoring the proactive measures taken by Customs to combat illegal arms trafficking.
He emphasised that Nigerian collaborators in Turkey were identified as sourcing and exporting these illicit arms, utilizing new methods to evade detection.
In addition to the firearms, the Customs Command at MMA also seized military and paramilitary equipment valued at N1.29 billion.
This included drones, ballistic vests, helmets, walkie talkies, and various military insignia. These items were imported without the necessary end-user certificates, further complicating their legality under Nigerian law.
The Customs boss affirmed that all seized items would be transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution.
He assured the public of Customs’ commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing threats to national security and economic stability.
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