Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) have intercepted a container loaded with 1,100 pieces of pump action rifles at Tin Can port, Apapa, Lagos, making a total of 2,201 such arms seized at three different times this year.

The Comptroller-General of NSC, Hameed Ali, who paraded the arms at Tin Can port command yesterday, disclosed that the rifles were discovered in a 20-foot container with number GESU2555208 which originated from Turkey. He said two people had been arrested – the customs officer that authorised the cutting of the seal and a terminal clerk.

The customs had in January seized 661 pieces of pump action rifles, which were found in 49 boxes. And in May, the operatives intercepted 440 pieces of assorted pump action rifles, which originated from Turkey and were concealed inside a 40-foot container.

Ali, who was apparently worried about the incessant smuggling of arms in recent days, said the two cases were already in court, “while the service looks forward to justice being served to deter other would-be arms smugglers.” He expressed displeasure that all the three containers of arms intercepted by the service this year were from Turkey.

Other stakeholders in the maritime industry have also raised concerns over the cargoes from Turkey. Some advised the Federal Government to urgently halt general importation from Turkey, saying recent events indicated that the country was contributing to insecurity in Nigeria.

Giving details on how the 20ft container was intercepted, Ali said it was falsely declared to contain wash-hand basins and water closets.“On the 6th of September, 2017 operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service intelligence unit on a routine monitoring of activities across the terminals discovered a 1x20ft container with number GESU2555208, which was not previously listed for examination, positioned with other containers for the day’s examination.

“They also observed that the seal of this unlisted container had already been cut and padlocked. The container became suspect and had to be immediately transferred to the enforcement unit.

“Upon thorough examination, the container was discovered to contain 600 pieces of Jojef Magnum Black Pump action, 300 pieces of Jojef Magnum Silver Pump action and 209 pieces of Jojef Magnum Plastic Single Barrels Hunting Gun Pump Action Rifles.

“The importation of 1100 rifles at a time when the nation is undergoing some security challenges is a clear indication that there are indeed some elements who do not believe in the unity, peace and well being of Nigeria,” he said.

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This is drums of war

Nigeria is not safe

people Make Gun....Gun kill people.