By Yakubu Salisu, Kano
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again intercepted a number of Semi Automatic ShortGuns illegally imported into the country.
Displaying the confiscated firearms today at Murtala Muhammed Area Command, Ikeja, Lagos, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Basir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, said the items were intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
This is coming just two days after the Service at a press briefing of was held in Port Harcourt, showcased the seizure of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition. This is also just as the TCIP Command recently impounded 11 rifles and 6 pistols, among other items.
Adeniyi stated that the Murtala Muhammed Area Command, acting on credible intelligence from both local and international collaborators, on 19 June 2024, deployed its personnel to man all the exit points effectively and mandated all examination officers to conduct 100% examination of all consignments.
“During the examination, an item was discovered and suspected to be part of a rifle from a console consignment with airway bill number 235-58737755, emanating from Turkey. Consequently, the entire consignment was isolated for thorough examination.
“At the end of the examination, it was established that 4 packages were used to conceal 55 PIECES OF UNASSEMBLED JOJEF MAGNUM (TOMAHAWK) SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN. The unassembled rifles were concealed using SHOWER FAUCET.
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).
A suspect is currently in our custody in connection with this illicit arms importation and is assisting with an ongoing investigation to uncover the perpetrators of this heinous crime”, he said.
He further explained 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.