The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has handed over 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCOSALW).
The Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, did the hand-over at the Federal Operation Unit Zone “A” on Thursday in Lagos.
Adeniyi while handing over the seized arms and ammunition said that they were seized in 2018 in three containers at the Tincan Island Port.
He noted that hand-over ceremony demonstrated the NCS’s commitment to protecting national borders and maintaining public safety.
He added that the Service would spare no resource in hunting down, exposing, and prosecuting anyone who attempts to compromise the nation’s national security through arms trafficking.
The Customs boss explained that the hand-over of the weapons to the NCCSALW symbolised the Service’s commitment to proper disposal of seized arms and highlights its resolve to rid the nation of illegal weapons.
He commended the professionalism and courage of the NCS officers involved in the seizures, as well as the Forensics Unit for their role in securing convictions.
“Today’s handover encompasses a total of 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges recovered from these operations, between 2018 till date, totalling 3,897.
“In May 2018, the Service intercepted a significant cache of arms consisting of 440 pump action rifles and accessories, ingeniously concealed within 516 bags of Plaster of Paris (POP) cement in a 1x20ft container with number PONU210024/1.
”This seizure coincided with heightened security challenges from armed bandits in the North-West and illegal arms proliferation in the South-East.
”This reveals the linkage between transnational smuggling networks and our domestic security challenges.
“Through sustained intelligence operations, we intercepted two additional containers – CMAU 189817/8 and GESU 255208/1 at Tin-Can Island Port, similarly concealing arms and ammunition among sanitary wares” Adeniyi said.
Adeniyi said that following the seizure, forensic deployed capabilities were deployed to conduct detailed electronic analysis of customs documentation and shipping records.
“Through established diplomatic channels,we partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the Turkish Embassy, leading to definitive identification of the purchasing company.
“The investigation trail, supported by financial records obtained through court orders, enabled us to establish the identities of those behind this illegal arms shipment.
“Through strategic inter-agency cooperation, particularly with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, we successfully prosecuted the case (Suit No: FHC/L/339C/2018) before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“The defendants Great James Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeuwa Moses Christ, and Emeka Umeh Festus A.K.A (Amankwa) were convicted on eight count charges.
“This prosecution success reinforces the Service’s zero-tolerance stance against arms trafficking and validates the effectiveness of our judicial collaboration,” he added.
