Customs seize arms, ammunition worth N2bn from Turkey

The Comptroller-General, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists in Onne Port, Rivers State.

Adeniyi said one of the containers which originated from Turkey, based on the number of risk factors associated with the importation, became a subject of interest to the service.

Cache of arms and ammunition imported from Turkey intercepted at the Onne Ports in Rivers State. Photo Credit: Dennis Naku

Giving details of the container, the CG said, “We have followed its sail across continents and we’ve benefitted immensely from credible information through our collaboration with intelligence communities both at local, national and international levels,”

According to him, the importer tried to circumvent the procedure through the outlet of a private-bonded terminal.

“On Friday 21st of June 2024, the auspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination. Inside the container were 844 units of assorted riffles and 12,500 pieces of life ammunition,” which Adeniyi said were “concealed with various items like doors, furniture fittings and leather bags.”

The NCS boss stated that the duty-paid value of the container was N4.2bn.

He added that three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.

On the other containers, Adeniyi said, “On Saturday, our officers intercepted eight pieces of 40-foot containers transiting from a bonded terminal

“On examination, six of the containers were laden with 1.5 million bottles of cough syrup of codeine in 100ml sizes, 3.5m tablets of tramadol. The duty-paid value of the containers is N9.6bn. the total duty paid value of the nine containers is N13.9bn,” the customs boss concluded.

On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2 of the NCS said it intercepted 1,410 litres of premium motor spirit worth N30.4m within one week.

The team’s Coordinator, Mohammad Shuaibu, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos State.