Customs intercepts container loaded with guns in Lagos

December 18, 2021 12:43 pm

Pic.28. Officials of Nigerian Customs Service sorting some of the 470 pump action rifles smuggled into the country, which were seized 10 days after a similar seizure from Turkey, in Lagos on Thursday (21/9/17). 05078/21/9/2017/Wasiu Zubair/TA/BJO/NAN

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it intercepted a container loaded with guns at Tin Can Island, in Lagos.

According to the service, the owner of the container allegedly declared its content as plasma televisions, but checks by officers revealed that guns were concealed in the facility.

Reacting to the development on Friday, Uche Ejesieme, public relations officer of Tin Can Customs, said the container was discovered during a routine examination at terminal B2 (Vehicle) of the TICT.

He said on discovering the arms, the container was evacuated to the enforcement unit where necessary procedures will be taken to further ascertain the quantity of the consignment.

“The officers intercepted a container loaded with weapons, but as we speak, what we have done as a command is that we have written to the terminal to evacuate the container immediately to enforcement unit for 100 per cent examination so that we can actually ascertain the quantity and other relevant information,” he said.

“So, as we speak, we expect the terminal to evacuate the container to the enforcement unit where we intend to strip it, and the quantity, names of people involved and other further information would be available.”

Ejesieme said in line with service protocol, the command will inform the customs high command in Abuja after the container had been thoroughly examined, adding that it will also ensure that all the persons involved in the shipment are prosecuted.

“This is why we have not issued an official statement regarding the seizure. As we speak, we do not have full details of who is behind the import, country of import and the model of guns,” he said.

“All these will be made known at the end of investigations. Most times, the suspect you see is those freight forwarders and agents coming for examination, but we are more interested in getting to the importer and everyone involved in that criminal importation to nip it in the bud.”