NCS Intercepts 844 Riffles, 112,500 Rounds of Ammunition in Onne, River State

... Arrest Three In Connection With Seizure

In it's national security effort, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) made a very significant seizure of arms and ammunition at the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne and arrested three suspects in connection with the seizure.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr while briefing the press on Monday at Onne, Rivers State on July 1, 2024, said the service while acting on credible intelligence on June 21, 2024, during an inspection of a suspicious 1x40-foot container from Turkey, found it to contain 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition.

These items which were concealed among doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags, had a total duty-paid value of ₦4,171,710,000.00.

The CGC asserted that this interception underscores the commitment to of the Nigeria Customs Service to national security and public safety. He stated that the service remains vigilant and committed to duty.

Additionally, the CGC also informed at the command, on June 29, 2024, intercepted eight 40-foot containers which were destined for a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. These containers contained 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine, 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol, and 720 bales of used clothes with the duty-paid value of ₦13,915,710,000.00.

According to the CGC, “These seizures results from our robust Risk Management System and collaboration with intelligence communities both locally and internationally".

Continuing, Adeniyi said, "The container bearing the arms and ammunition will be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution. Licenses and permits of warehouses and terminals involved have been suspended, and officers found complicit will face severe sanctions".

"Three suspects have been detained in connection with the seizure, with a thorough investigation underway to ensure all involved face legal consequences.”

Comptroller General Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Comptroller of Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede and his team for their professionalism. He also acknowledged the crucial support from local and international partners as well as other government agencies.

While reaffirming the dedication of the service in protecting Nigerian borders the CGC said, “This seizure serves as a strong warning to others contemplating similar misadventures. We will run you out of business; the NCS continues to demonstrate its dedication to protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring the security of its citizens".

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