Nigeria Customs Service Seizes 844 Rifles & 112,500 Rounds of Ammunition At Onne Port

Containership — Image for representation purposes only

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) seized substantial arms and ammunition in the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne, Rivers State.

Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Customs, revealed at a press conference on July 1, 2024, that the haul included 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition hidden in a shipment from Turkey.

On June 21, 2024, customs inspectors searched a suspicious 1×40-foot container based on credible intelligence and discovered arms concealed amid doors, furniture, plumbing equipment, and leather bags.

The total duty-paid value of seized items is ₦4,171,710,000. Three individuals have been arrested, and an investigation is underway to ensure that everyone involved faces legal penalties.

Adeniyi stated that this interception demonstrates their commitment to national security and public safety.

Guns — Image Credits: Nigeria Customs Service/X (Twitter)

The seized container will be transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution.

Another operation on June 29, 2024, had customs inspectors seize eight 40-foot containers bound for a bonded facility at Onne Port.

The containers comprised 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine, 3,500,000 pills of Trodol Benzhexol, and 720 bales of discarded garments, totalling ₦13,915,710,000 in duty-paid value.

The containers were incorrectly declared to avoid customs duties and import restrictions.

According to Adeniyi, the seizures result from their robust Risk Management System and local and international collaboration with intelligence communities.

Weapons — Image Credits: Nigeria Customs Service/X (Twitter)

Licenses and permissions for the involved warehouses and terminals have been suspended, and any involved customs personnel will face serious consequences.

General Adeniyi praised Customs Area Comptroller Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede, and his team for their professionalism.

He also acknowledged the crucial cooperation of local, international, and government partners and agencies.

Adeniyi added that the seizure is a warning for anyone planning similar mistakes.

The Nigeria Customs Service continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders and preserving the security of its people.

CSC Cough Syrup — Image Credits: Nigeria Customs Service/X (Twitter)

The NCS intercepted the shipment after following an intelligence and risk assessment trail that led it across continents from Turkey to Onne Port.

Upon inspection, the container was found to contain:

764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump-action Rifles
10 units of VC. Verney Caron Gun Makers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles.
50 units of VC. Verney Caron Gun Maker Double Barrel Rifles
20 units of VC Verney Caron Gun Maker Single Barrel Rifles
112,500 rounds of Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 plastic shotgun shells (70mm)

The other seizure on June 29 comprised containers with:

1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100mL)
3,500,000 Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg)
720 bales of old clothes.

The NCS declared these containers and their contents seized under the terms of the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023.

The items and suspects will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.

Furthermore, the warehouse and customs agents’ licenses and permits have been suspended.

Customs officials who refused bribes and carried out their responsibilities would be rewarded, while those found guilty would face harsh consequences.

The NCS’ actions demonstrate its continuous commitment to national security and economic integrity.

Reference: NCS, Reuters

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