Police to Partner Customs in Smashing Turkish Arms Smuggling Syndicate

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, thursday expressed the readiness of the force to partner the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in smashing the international syndicate behind the illegal importation of arms from Turkey.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), had at a recent press conference held in Lagos fingered a syndicate made up of Nigerians based in Turkey as those behind the illegal importation of about 2,671 pump action guns that were impounded recently by operatives of the service attached to Tin-Can Island Command, Lagos.
He also said the customs high command was already in touch with the Turkish government on the issue.
The IG who made this disclosure yesterday at the official

inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari housing estate, at Agemuwo area of Badagry, also expressed concern over the frequency of importation.

Idris who said the police high command was keeping close watch on the issue, also noted that the police was already investigating the issue since it borders on national security.

He said: “The Comptroller General of Customs had made a broadcast on the seized arms. The police as a security agency will join force with them to investigate the source of the arms and we will ensure that those behind the illegal importation do not go Scott-free, no matter the circumstances.”

Idris who condemned the activities of secessionist in the country, revealed that he had gone round the country and has observed that Nigerians as a people still want to continue to live together as brothers and sisters.
He said police as an agent of government has a responsibility towards ensuring that the unity of the country remain intact.

“We have the constitutional power to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians anywhere in the country,” he added.

Idris who also commissioned a newly constructed Mopol 22 Headquarters building in Ikeja said he is committed to improvement of the welfare of police officers.

“In my inaugural speech on July 22, 2016, I said the Nigerian police force will henceforth be guided by international core values of policing with integrity, ensuring that the rule of law prevails in all our actions and activities.

“I also assured police personnel of my determination to accelerate all issues as regards the welfare of police men and their families such as promotion, prompt payment of salaries, provision of affordable housing units among others.
“These promises I pursued with zeal because of my firm believe that police officers deserve the support in terms of welfare and other logistics given the nature of our job.

“In view of the above, my administration has sustained major result oriented initiatives aimed at reinvigorating the police welfare system through police cooperative and insurance which involved investments made by police personnel.
“The product of this painstaking effort has culminated into these housing units named after the president whose moral support has brought us this far.

“It is therefore with high sense of fulfillment and honour and gratitude that I commission the Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate Mowo, Badagry, Lagos state on the 28 day of September 2017 in keeping my promise to my hard working police officers across this country.

“If you may recall, similar projects were commissioned in other parts of the country such as Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and FCT while that of Enugu will kick off soon.

“The welfare of the personnel of the Nigeria Police force especially the rank and file is utmost for a more functional proactive and effective police force.

“Consequently, I enjoin you to be at your best, applying best practices in our dealings with the civil populace with total loyalty to our dear nation. I also thank the police cooperative be society and our partners for making this dream come through,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Cooperative, Shola David, said: “Today is a remarkable day in the history of the Nigeria Police under the leadership of the I-G as he commissions the 1083 units of flats at Muhammadu Buhari Estate.
“This is the first phase which has 312 units consisting of three and two bedroom flats and officers of the Nigeria Police had shown interest.

“This is in fulfillment of the IG’s promise to improve the welfare of Nigeria Police Officers as he has decided to be here to commission the project.

“We will be calling on the IG for inauguration soon as the same project had been embarked upon in Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto.”

The C.E.O Remax Realtors, Mrs Adefunke Adesoji, also commended the IG for the making the project a success and appreciated his support throughout the execution of the project.

“We commend the IG for making this project possible. We also appreciate his unflinching commitment to the improvement of the Nigeria Police welfare by providing them with a place to call theirs,” she said.

According to her, the first phase which has 312 units presently has over 100 units fully serviced with befitting middle and high income facility.

The two police officers, Felicia Obembe and Sgt. Blessing Okurube received keys to their flats and thanked the IG on behalf of other beneficiaries.