By correspondent in Lagos.
L-R, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, Controller in charge of FOA, fourth left, Comptrollers General of customs, Bashir Adeniyi, th ‘ Director-General,NCCSALW’s Mr Babatunde Kokumo and Assistant Comptrollers General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator Zone “A” Charles Orbih during handing over the seized arms and ammunition at its Federal Operation Unit Zone “A” on Thursday said they were seized in 2018 in three containers at the Tinkan Island Por
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A picture of 3,897 riffles and catrages handing over at Federal Operation Unit Zone “A” on Thursday to National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCOSALW).
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a significant cache of seized weapons to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCOSALW).
Our correspondent reports that the items include 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges, totaling 3,897 items.
The handover was officiated by NCS Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Federal Operation Unit Zone “A” in Lagos.
He said the arms and ammunition were seized in 2018 during an operation targeting three containers at the Tin-Can Island Port.
Adeniyi emphasized that the handover of arms and ammunition underscores the NCS’s commitment to securing national borders and protecting public safety.
The Customs boss reiterated that the service remains resolute in its mission to track down and prosecute anyone involved in trafficking illegal arms into the country.
The seized items include a notable 440 pump-action rifles concealed within 516 bags of plaster of Paris (POP) cement. The interception of this shipment coincided with rising security challenges across Nigeria, including armed banditry in the Northwest and illegal arms proliferation in the Southeast.
Adeniyithe explained that NCS deployed extensive intelligence operations, which led to the interception of two additional containers containing arms hidden among sanitary wares.
He revealed that, through forensic analysis, diplomatic channels, and court-ordered financial records, his men successfully traced the shipment back to the purchasing company in Turkey.
He added that the coordinated efforts between NCS, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Turkish Embassy, and the Office of the Attorney General culminated in the prosecution of the responsible parties.
He recalled that in a Federal High Court ruling,some individuals and oil companies were convicted on multiple charges relating to the illegal arms shipment.
Adeniyi praised the professionalism and courage of NCS officers involved in the operation, which reflects the agency’s dedication to combatting illegal arms trafficking and strengthening national security.
The National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by NCCSALW’s Director-General Babatunde Kokumo, accepted the handover, assuring that the seized weapons would be permanently removed from circulation in line with international conventions.
Ribadu commended the NCS and its collaborators for their persistent efforts in combating the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
Our correspondent recalls that the handover also follows the recent signing of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, a significant step in the country’s fight against illegal weaponry.
He lauded the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, which he noted has played a pivotal role in mitigating national security threats, including terrorism, banditry, and pipeline vandalism.
Ribadu urged all security agencies and stakeholders to remain vigilant and continue their united efforts in safeguarding Nigeria’s future from the threat of illicit arms.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
