On June 21, 2024, the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) intercepted a significant consignment of contraband at the Onne Port in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria.
The Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed the details during a media briefing at the Onne Area 2 Command on Monday.
Mr. Adeniyi reported that intelligence sharing led to the tracking of a 40-foot container, numbered MAEU-165396, which originated from Turkey. The container, flagged due to associated risk factors, was found to be carrying 844 units of assorted rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition, concealed within items such as dolls, furniture, and plumbing fittings. The total duty paid value of the seized items exceeds N4 billion.
In connection with the seizure, three suspects have been detained following a court-issued warrant. An ongoing investigation aims to bring all involved parties to justice. The seized firearms and ammunition will be handed over to Johnson Kokumo, the National Coordinator of Small Arms and Light Weapons and a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, who was present at the declaration.
Additionally, Mr. Adeniyi announced the interception of another container, this one 80 by 40 feet, with a duty paid value of N9.6 billion. It contained Tramadol, codeine, other illicit drugs, and 720 bales of second-hand clothing valued at N144 million. He assured that the NCS remains committed to maintaining the integrity of its trade facilitation processes.
During the briefing, Mr. Kokumo praised the NCS for its significant contribution to national security, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among sister agencies in achieving such successes.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Major-General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, expressed concern over the persistent issue of small arms and light weapons proliferation, illicit drug trafficking, and money laundering in Nigeria. He highlighted how these challenges continue to fuel criminal activities nationwide and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to allocating necessary resources to ensure the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
