Customs intercepts 20ft container with 440 arms in Lagos port

Harboursandport.com, 23/05/2017 ----Lagos. The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) yesterday intercepted a 20 footer container laden with 440 guns of various sizes and designs.

Some of the seized rifles being inspected by Customs officials

Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘Á’ of the NCS, who disclosed this in Lagos, said that the offensive cargo was shipped from Turkey.

The Customs boss also said that a suspect has been arrested in connection with arms import which was declared as white cement to cover up the illicit import.

Abueh said that the seizure was based on intelligence report adding that investigation into how and who is behind the import is ongoing.

The detail of the arms includes 100 pieces of Black Tornado single barrel rifles; 75pieces of silver magnum single barrel rifles, 50 pieces of alter pump action rifles 215 pieces black single barrel rifles and 164 pieces of rifle nozzle.

Others are 103 pieces arms grips, 110 pieces of trigger, 113 pieces of arm guard,, 107 pieces of bridge block122 pieces of Allen keys, 117 pieces of assemble butt and 516 (50kg) bags of POP powder (White cement).

He said “Right in my hand is a sample pump action of various designs.

“Based on intelligence report, this command identified the container and the container was intercepted even before declaration.

"On opening the container, we discovered that they used POP powder to conceal the importation but based on intelligence report we were able to know that the container was laden with arm.

“The particulars of the consignee are still being kept under wraps for security reason".

The container with number PONU 210024 was discovered at the Zenith bonded terminal on Monday, from where it was moved to the command’s enforcement Unit yesterday.

Speaking on the development, the command's spokesman, Mr. Uche Ejieseme said that investigation into owners of the consignment will continue, after which the container will handed over to the relevant authority.

Ejesieme said that further profiling of the importer will be carried out to get more details on previous shipment by the importer.