Customs intercepts Fresh 2,671 riffles imported from Turkey; Quarantines 20-Foot Container.

The Nigerian Customs Service, Tin-Can Island Command, Lagos, has again intercepted another set of 2,671 rifles illegally imported into the country.

The guns were discovered from profiling actions after being allegedly imported from Turkey.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), disclosed in Lagos on Thursday that the seizure was the fourth at the Lagos ports within eight months.

He said, “Following the increase in the number of arms seizures in recent times, the Customs Area Controller of Tin-Can Port, Comptroller, Yusuf Bashar, ordered a detailed profile of all imports, especially those coming from Turkey.

“Customs decided to follow profiling approach of 100 per cent examination on containers, especially those containers coming from Turkey.

“Tin-Can Customs command intercepted another 20ft container No CMAUI817/8 containing 470 pump action rifles, immediately the container landed from the port of origin to Nigerian ports.’’

“The terminal operators have been consequently directed to quarantine the container for analysis”.

“The container was later transferred to the Enforcement Unit of the command where 100 per cent examination revealed 470 pump action rifles,” Ali said.

He said that the Bill of Lading of the container indicated Elbow Plumbing Plastics.

Continuing Ali said the importer of the cargo is Great Oil and Gas Ltd and the vessel named “MV Arkas Africa” owned by Hull Blyth.

He said that the NCS would now be responsive and capable of meeting the challenges being posed.

The Customs Boss urged Nigerians to rise up and remain vigilant to deal decisively with the enemies of the country, adding that this was what the Federal Government required all citizens to do.

He assured Nigerians that Customs officers were now on alert, following the directive he issued to all Customs area controllers on Wednesday.

Ali noted that the management of the NCS had implemented a policy of rewarding good deeds as well as punishment for those who compromised.

He said that he would be having meeting with the ambassador of Turkey in order to rub minds over continuous importation of containers of ammunitions into Nigeria.

Ali said that Customs would continue to subject all containers to 100 per cent examination until 80 per cent of the Customs agents abide with global practices.

He said that some innocent importers were being affected as a result of constant false declaration of cargoes.

“We are going to subject all areas of Customs operations to 100 per cent examination to safeguard life of the citizens.

He added that since the container belonged to the same importer of 1,100 riffles intercepted on Sept.11, investigation was on-going to fish out those connected with the container.

END