By Ajibola Adedoye
The Nigeria Customs Service, under my leadership, will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi made this statement on Monday, July 1, 2024 while briefing journalists at the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne during the display of seized containers laden with 844 units of assorted rifles, 112,500 pieces of live ammunition and several other banned drugs ilegally imported into the country.
Speaking further, the CGC stated that: “On Friday, 21 June 2024, 1X40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey was inspected and we found that it has the following contents: Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred (112,500) pieces of live ammunitionThe breakdown is as follows: 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles, 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles, 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles, Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition, 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM). The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.
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The duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦4,171,710,000.00).
“In connection with this, we have the importer attempted to circumvent our investigation and procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice. Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law.
“In another development, our officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container on transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.
“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following: Six containers laden with:1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml), 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg), Duty-paid value: Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira (₦9,600,000,000.00) Two containers laden with: 720 bales of used clothesWith Duty-paid value: ₦144,000,000.00. The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦13,915,710,000.00).
“In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the following decisions have been taken with respect to these containers: The 40-footer container of evil, bearing 844 units of assorted Rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition is hereby seized, alongside the other contents previously highlighted. 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 ultimately rigorous prosecution.
“The suspects arrested would be handed over to the Centre for further processing. We will work diligently with other Agencies of Government to apprehend all other cohorts and Death Merchants involved in this monkey business.
“The Eight Containers whose contents were wrongly declared to evade duty payment and Prohibition Order are hereby declared seized.The Licences and Permits issued for the operation of all the Warehouses and Terminals as well as those of their Customs Agents involved in these cases are hereby suspended pending the determination of their involvement. Customs Officers who are found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious act would be heavily sanctioned in a manner that would be approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service.Officers who kept faith with the Oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023” CGC Adeniyi concluded.
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