Rivers Port: Customs Seize 844 Rifles, 112 Live Ammunition Worth Over N4.1bn DPV
The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has recorded a large seizure of 844 rifles and 112 Live Ammunition with a Duty Paid Value of N4,171,710,000 at its Rivers State Port.
On Monday, the NCS displayed the seizures during a press briefing at the Service’ Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne.
Giving his remarks, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi said the arms and ammunition were concealed in a 1×40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey.
Adeniyi noted that based on several risk factors, the container became a subject of interest.
He said, “We had followed its sail across the Continents, as we benefited immensely from credible information produced through our collaboration with the intelligence communities, both at the local, national and international levels.
“Working within our local structures, we followed diligently as the Importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal.
“Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination.
“The examination result revealed the following alarming contents: Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles and One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred (112,500) pieces of live ammunition.”
The CGC gave a breakdown of the seizures to include 764 units of Tomahawk Jojeff Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmakers Jojeff Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles and 50 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles.
Further breakdown includes 20 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles, Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).
“The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦4,171,710,000.00).”
Adeniyi noted that the NCS had arrested and detained three suspects in its custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.
In another development, Adeniyi said the NCS intercepted an 8×40-foot container in transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port.
The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.
The NCS said that upon examination, the containers were found to contain six containers laden with 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml); 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg); Duty-paid value: Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira (₦9,600,000,000.00).
The other two containers laden had 720 bales of used clothes with a Duty-paid value: of ₦144,000,000.00.
“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦13,915,710,000.00),” the NCS said.
Consequently, the CGC disclosed that the items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation, and ultimately vigorous prosecution.
Also, the NCS noted that the suspects arrested would be handed over to the Centre for further processing, while it collaborates with other relevant agencies, to apprehend all other cohorts and Death Merchants involved in the business.
The CGC said, “The eight containers whose contents were wrongly declared to evade duty payment and Prohibition Order are hereby declared seized.
“The Licences and Permits issued for the operation of all the Warehouses and Terminals as well as those of their Customs Agents involved in these cases are hereby suspended pending the determination of their involvement.
“Customs Officers who are found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious acts would be heavily sanctioned in a manner that would be approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Officers who kept faith with the Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
“Finally, this seizure serves as a strong warning to others who may be contemplating similar misadventures, my message to them is simple; we will run you out of business.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, under my leadership, will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation.”
