The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Port Harcourt 2 Area Command Onne has announced the seizure of a pistol, 100 pieces of 9mm ammunition for violations and contraventions of extant import prohibition laws.
While briefing journalists on Wednesday, November, 1, 2023, Comptroller Baba Imam, Customs Area Controller Port Harcourt 2 Area Command, Onne, confirmed that the two suspects in connection with the seized items are in police custody.
The Area Controller said, “On the 26th of October 2023, in the course of examination of an imported container from United State which was declared to contain household effects and One used vehicle, was found to contain One pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition.
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“The operatives of the Customs Intelligence Unit attached to the group of examination officers was instrumental to the discovery of the Pistol and 100 rounds of live ammunition concealed within the vehicle.
“Consequently, two suspects have been arrested in connection to this importation. The pistol, ammunition as well as the two suspects shall all be handed over to the Nigerian police force shortly after this press briefing, as criminal cases relating to our collaborative functions with other Government agencies are handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution” he concluded.
The Area Command also displayed a total of 9 seized containers with items such as 724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tyres, 4 Vehicles used in concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis (marijuana).
Others are; 2070 cartons of Tomatoe paste, 1578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with codeine (100ml) and many other items with total duty paid value at ₦1,162,424,371.00
In his words, “Beyond these collaborative functions with other Government agencies and the seizures, also, in the area of revenue generation and collection, this Area Command has generated a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 from January 2023 to October 2023, this represents a significant increment of ₦44,145,889,008.65 over the amount generated for 2022.
“The Command and indeed the Customs of today has zero tolerance to smuggling and has no cause not to perform as every encouragement, logistics and other incentives have been given by our amiable Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and that has boosted the morale of all officers to be more determined than ever to fight smuggling.
By Ajibola Adedoye