Arms smuggling: Customs arrest 3, impounds 661 rifles
Three Nigerians have been arrested by officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for the illegal importation of arms into the country.
The men identified as Oscar Okafor, Mahmud Hassan and Sadique Mustapha were arrested for the unlawful importation of 49 boxes containing 661 pump action rifles which were concealed in a container conveying steel products and other merchandise goods.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col Hameed Ali (rtd.) who made this known to Journalists on Monday said the arms were cleared at the Apapa Port with the aid of two customs officers who are now under investigation.
He said the arms originated from Turkey and routed through China before they were smuggled into Nigeria and falsely declared as steel doors.
According to Ali, the roving team of the NCS’ federal operations unit, while on intelligence patrol on Sunday, January 22, 2017, intercepted a Mark truck with registration number BDG 265 XG, conveying a 1×4 container with number: PONU/825914/3 along the Mile 2, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos.
The truck, he said, was immediately taken to the premises of FOU Zone A, Ikeja, where a physical examination revealed what was in the container.
“Already, three suspects have been arrested in connection with this illegal importation. Investigation has already commenced and I have directed that the dragnet should be wide enough to fish out all persons involved in the importation and clearing of the consignment.
“The customs officers involved in the clearance of this container are with the Comptroller, FOU Zone A, Ikeja.”
The seizure, he added, underscored the determination of the NCS to enforce all laws relating to importation and exportation of goods into and out of Nigeria, thereby contributing to the economy, security and wellbeing of the country.
