Again, Customs intercepts 440 Pump Action riffles in Lagos

Barely few months after the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) intercepted 660 pieces of pump action riffles at Apapa port in Lagos, the service has again intercepted 440 pieces of the riffles at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

While displaying the guns to journalists at the Tin Can Island Command of the service, Zonal Coordinator of Zone A’ of NCS, Assistant Controller General of Customs, Monday Abueh, said that the import originated from Turkey.

The guns were concealed inside a forty footer container with numbers PONU210024 (1) 22G1 carrying POP powder used for house design.

He said that the container was intercepted based on intelligence obtained by the Tin Can Island Customs Command.

He added that the container was whisked away by Customs even before declaration was made.

Already, he said that one suspect have been apprehended in connection with the seizure.

The container was said to have been intercepted by Customs on Monday night and transferred it to its enforcement unit where other security agencies were called in to inspect it.

Speaking, Abueh said: “These are pump action of various designs. Based on intelligence report of the Tin Can Island Customs under Controller Bashir Yussuf, he was able to make use of the intelligence report made available to him and the container was identified and intercepted. There is no question of any officer releasing container here, it was intercepted even before declaration.

“We discovered that they used POP powder to conceal it in order to beat the customs checks.

“We have one defendant but for the purpose of indemnity, we don’t intend to detain him for long because of security reason. As of the consignee, we are still keeping it under wraps because investigations is still ongoing.

“We have about 440 pieces coming from Turkey”.
Abueh noted that investigations is ongoing and that the Customs investigators would get to the root of the matter.

“Prosecution of matters like this in Nigeria involves a lot of time to push out the culprits but our lawyers have all what it takes to prosecute those involved,” he added.

On his part, Tin Can Island Customs Controller, Bashar said apart from the 440 pieces of pump action magnum brand, other accessories of the guns were found in the container.

He also said there were also Completely Knocked Down (CKD) of the pump action inside the said consignment.

Bashir said that some of the guns were manufactured in the US and some from Italy but mainly imported from Turkey.

He said: “We have other accessories in this container, several parts dismantled but definitely to be reassembled (CKD). Investigations would go deeper so as to know where the factory for arms assemblage is located in Nigeria.

“Generally, anytime we have interceptions like this, it requires a lot of intelligence and profiling of importers. The 21st century calls for that, you don’t have to wait for things to start happening before you start working.

“POP is a very safe item to conceal weapons because it is not injurious to anyone. It is mainly used after effect of building, it is an attempt to distract the customs attention, but whatever anyone might use, and it would attract our attention”.

Bashir said that Nigerians have been saved from the hazards of the riffles.

In a related development, stakeholders in the maritime industry have called for detailed investigation into the seizure, expressing fear that the incidents were becoming too rampant.

President of the Association of Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, told The Daily Times in a telephone conversation that a detailed investigation should be conducted into the matter.

“It is important that Customs get to the root of the matter to forestall future occurrence. I have belief in the leadership of the Customs to get to the root of the matter,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, urged Customs to as a matter of urgency get to the root of the matter as such constant discoveries is causing undue tension in the land.

“This is becoming too constant. Barely four months ago, a container of arms was intercepted, now this again. Customs should tell us those behind the importation and not sweep it under the carpet,” he said.