Customs Seizes Arms, Ammunitions as Adeniyi Blames Non-state Actors for Proliferation

Eromosele Abiodun

The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, yesterday, in Lagos, blamed non-state actors for the proliferation of small arms and ammunition across the country.

Adeniyi stated this during a press briefing to showcase arms and ammunitions intercepted by the service within the first two weeks of July 2023, in Lagos.

He said the activities of non-state actors accounted for the increase in violent kidnappings, robberies and mass killings in the society.

According to him, “Let me state at this point that the Service has re-strategised its operations, while our officers have raised their levels of professionalism, and have keyed into the mantra of renewed hope aimed at facilitating legitimate trade. In doing this, we are assuring all compliant traders and importers that they have nothing to fear.”

He stated that the deployment of manual approach to manning the checkpoints, so far achieved limited results, adding that going ahead, the Customs would be integrating the use of technology.

“I believe that we have not reaped maximum potential that we can get from enforcement. When we integrate the use of technology in our enforcement strategies we will get better results and better use of intelligence and of course the operation of our checkpoints has not given us the kind of result that we desire, rather it has created some kind of reputation damage for us, so we are already reviewing the way we have our checkpoints and the architecture of our security patrols replacing it with a new structure. We are also going to strengthen federal operations units across the country,” he stressed.

He pointed out that since assuming the role of Acting Comptroller General, its dedicated officers and men have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their responsibilities.

“Their diligence and perseverance have been the cornerstone of our operations. Our actions within the NCS have been driven by a deep sense of purpose and guided by the mantra of renewed hope, which underpins the current administration’s vision.

“We recognise the significance of our role in contributing to the overall objectives of the President Tinubu-led Administration, as articulated in the Road Map of the Policy Advisory Council document. The declaration of a state of emergency in revenue generation and national security has further aligned our activities with the government’s overarching goals.

“In pursuant to this commitment, I stand before you today to highlight the recent achievements of the NCS in our ongoing efforts to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security, “he added.

He stated that on 5th of July 2023, during a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Customs Intelligence Unit at the Ports Terminal and Multi Services Limited Command, a thorough physical examination of a 40ft container revealed the concealment of 10 dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums.

“The details are three new Pump Action rifles and one new unit of an armed rifle, six new different makes of pistols, one new millennium G2 pistol, one new sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol, one new Lugger Security-9 pistol, one new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol, one new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, and one new Taurus (63 pistols) 442 rounds of live ammunition, “he said.

He disclosed that the clearing agent, Mr. Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Limited and Mr Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the container, are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizure.

“Similarly, within the same period, the Tincan Island Port Command of the Service, while acting on credible intelligence; a 1x40ft container was also subjected to 100 per cent physical examination with the relevant security agencies at the ports. The physical examination uncovered 18 arms, packets of cartridges and rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums.

“The container caintained; six different makes of pistols, two Sar9 Sarsilmarz Pistols, one Ruger American Pistol and three Taurus G3c – Bainbridge Pistols. Others include; two different makes of riffles five Rz17hd Rifles, one Gamo Rifle, five pump Action Rifles and one Rz17 Tactical Rifle, 10 packets of cartridges, two packets of 9mm ammunition, 100 rounds of 9mm Winchester ammunition, one carton of Frontier cartridges and two packets of Buckshot ammunition

“In another development, during a routine patrol along Owode/Ajilete Axis of Ogun State by officers of the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2, on the 12th of July 2023, the customs intercepted an unregistered Toyota Camry loaded with six sacks of charcoal, which was used to conceal three pump action riffles with 174 live cartridges.

“The driver of the vehicle, who knew the content he was conveying vis-a-vis the attendant consequences of his action before the law; jumped into the bush and escaped arrest.  In summary, investigation into the seizures is inconclusive,” he added.

He pointed out that the outcome of its investigations together with the seizures would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

“We have re-injected new tactics to tackle the economic and security menace caused by recalcitrant importers and their agents. The Service’s human resources and logistics are collectively harnessed to combat and prevent economic sabotage, “he averred.

He implored importers and agents to be patriotic by making sincere declarations, and to be properly guided by the import/export prohibition lists.

“I also urge the public to see security as a collective responsibility. We will appreciate information of illegal importation and cross border movement of dangerous weapons used to create mayhem in our nation, “he stated.