Customs intercept N1.6bn military wares, recover 55 rifles from Turkey

The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed Area Command, intercepted different military and paramilitary accoutrements illegally imported and recovered 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum (Tomahawk) semi-automatic shotguns, emanating from Turkey.

The service added that the arms had a duty-paid value of N271m, while the total value of the various contrabands stood at N1.568bn.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, while addressing journalists at the command in Ikeja, Lagos, stated that a suspect was arrested in connection with the illicit arms importation.

He added that the suspect was assisting with an ongoing investigation to uncover the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The PUNCH reported that the service on Monday in Onne Port, River State, showcased the seizure of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition worth N13.9bn.

Giving details of the arms in MMA, Adeniyi added that an item was discovered and suspected to be part of a rifle from a console consignment with airway bill number 235-58737755, emanating from Turkey.

He stated that the entire consignment was isolated for a thorough examination, where the arms were discovered.

“Analysis of this and similar recent seizures indicates that some unscrupulous Nigerians based in Turkey are purchasing, packaging, and exporting these illicit arms to Nigeria. Intelligence further revealed that they are exploring new frontiers to perpetrate their nefarious activities,” Adeniyi said.

He assured Nigerians that the service was on red alert to intercept any such illicit arms importation.

“Among other contrabands seized include, a drone 148 pieces, a ballistic vest 172 pieces, a ballistic plate 15 pieces, a ballistic helmet one piece, walkie talkie 8 pieces, military & paramilitary badges 9,172 pieces, camouflage uniforms 20 pieces, camouflage vests 100 pieces, camouflage caps 172 pieces, and binoculars 120 pieces,” he stated.

The CGC remarked that, relying on the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum SemiAutomatic Shotgun had been seized alongside the concealing items.

“The items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser, for diligent investigation and prosecution,” the CGC said.