By Ajibola Adedoye
The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed Area Command has intercepted a consignment concealing 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum (Tomahawk) Semi Automatic Shotgun.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who made this revelation in Ikeja on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 disclosed that the unassembled rifles were concealed- in 4 packages-in a consignment with Airway Bill Number 235-58737755, emanating from Turkey using Shower Faucet.
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According to the CGC, the Duty Paid Value of these illicit arms is Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Nine Naira and Twenty-Nine Kobo (N270, 888, 109.29).
Adeniyi who confirmed that one suspect currently in our custody of NCS in connection with this illicit arms importation and is assisting with an ongoing investigation to uncover the perpetrators of this heinous crime noted that 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.
Speaking further, Adeniyi confirmed that “NCS also displayed some Military and Paramilitary accoutrements which was improperly imported without end users’ certificates with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Nineteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira and Ninety-One Kobo (N1,298,019,276.91) only.
“The breakdown of these items is as follows: 148pcs of Drones, 172pcs of
Ballistic Vest , 15pcs of Ballistic Plate, 1pc of Ballistic Helmet, 8pcs of Walkie Talkie, 9,172pcs of Military & Paramilitary Badges, 20pcs of Camouflage Uniform, 100pcs of Camouflage Vest, 172pcs of Camouflage Cap and 120pcs of Binoculars .
“The total Duty Paid Value of all the items is One Billion Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million Nine Hundred and Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty-Six Naira and 48 Kobo (N1,568,907,386.48) only.
“Based on the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum Semi Automatic Shotgun are hereby seized, with 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 Suspect arrested will be handed over to the centre for further processing; we will work diligently with other Agencies of Government to apprehend all other parties to this illicit importation. All other controlled items imported without the requisite end-user certificates are hereby seized.
“Officers whose diligence, integrity and dedication to duty resulted in this remarkable seizure would be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023” he concluded.
You may recall that the Nigeria Customs TCIP Command recently impounded 11 rifles and 6 pistols, among other items. Similarly, just three days ago, NCS showcased another seizure of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition.
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