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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a large cache of smuggled arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
The number of the arms were not disclosed, but officials of the service confirmed that a total of 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges were transferred to NCCSALW.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of customs, said the event symbolises the commitment of the service to “proper disposal of arms”.
He said the service is determined to rid the nation of illegal weapons, adding that customs will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to strengthen the country’s borders.
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“In May 2018, the Service intercepted a significant cache of arms consisting of 440 pump action rifles and accessories, ingeniously concealed within 516 bags of Plaster of Paris (POP) cement in a 1x20ft container with number PONU210024/1,” Adeniyi said.
“We also intercepted two additional containers – CMAU 189817/8 and GESU 255208/1 at Tin-Can Island Port, similarly concealing arms and ammunition among sanitary wares. Today’s handover encompasses a total of 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges recovered from these operations.
“Our integrated strategy combining thorough investigation, decisive prosecution, and successful conviction has proven effective in dismantling smuggling networks. Let me be clear – the Service will spare no resource in hunting down, exposing, and prosecuting anyone who attempts to compromise our national security through arms trafficking.
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“We stand ready to deploy our full arsenal of intelligence and enforcement capabilities to protect legitimate trade while ensuring Nigeria’s security interests remain paramount.”
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