At a time when co-existing among Nigerians and unity of the country was ebbing, and armed banditry of kidnapping, armed robbery and genocidal killings by terrorists and cattle herdsmen, militancy, as well as ritual killings are on the increase, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Lagos Tin-Can Island Command, intercepted 1,100 high caliber riles imported into the country from Turkey.
Retired Col Hameed Ali, Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Services, told journalists, Monday, September 11, that the seizure was the third at Lagos ports within nine months. Ali’s words: “As you may already be aware, the two previous cases are 661 Pump Action Rifles from Apapa Command and 440 riles from this command”.
Ali further said: “The 20ft container No GESU2555208 was intercepted on September 7, during examination, while the Bill of Lading falsely indicated wash hand basins and water closets. An officer of the service alleged to have authorized the cutting of the seal and the terminal clerks have been arrested and are undergoing investigation.”
He added that “NCS under my leadership will do all possible to fish out all those remotely connected with this devilish importation. We shall bring them to justice”.
Nigeria Comptroller-General said the combined efforts of sister agencies collaborating with Nigerian Customs Services paid-off in these discoveries. Ali commended operatives of Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU, for discovering the rifles in spite of the false declaration.
Comment:Please, remind me, who was prosecuted for the two previous offences? My fear is that we will soon be told that the consignment was meant for Niger Republic authorities and only transiting through Nigeria.