Diplomatic face-off: FG to confronts Turkish government over Illegal arms import

Harboursandport.com: Lagos--- A diplomatic face-off seems on the way as the Federal government is set to confronted the government of Turkey over illegal importation of over 2,200 pump action riffles in three different seizures into Nigerian ports between February and September 2017.

CGC of Customs, Col Hameed Alli (rtd), on mufti leading other
officials to inspect the seized riffles Monday in Lagos. 

The Federal Government through the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Alli (rtd), had said that government would take up the issue of frequent importation of such offensive imports from that country with Turkish government.

On Monday, a 20 foot container from Turkey with number GESU2555208, conveyed by a vessel, MV Bella Shuttle, on 01-01-2017 of which the Bill of laden falsely indicating the content to be wash hand basins and water closets was seized after thorough examination by Nigeria Customs officers at Tin Can Island, Lagos.

The examination of the container revealed that there were 600 jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Riffles; 300 pieces of jojef silver Pump Action Riffles ; and 200 pieces Jojef magnum plastic Single Barrels Hunting Gun pump Action riffles in the container.

Similarly, 661 pump action riffles were intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in February 2017 and 440 pump action riffles in May 2017; all from Turkey.

Alli stated that the importation of the riffles at a time when the nation was undergoing some security challenges was an indication that “there are indeed some elements who do not believe in the unity, peace and well being of Nigerians.” He also noted that seizures such as these are testimonies to the fact that the Nigeria Customs Service is well reformed and intelligence driven to better serve the interests of the nation.

He however threatened that shipping companies as well as port terminals would henceforth be held responsible for any such discovery and the companies would be made to explain how the weapons found their ways into their terminals and allowed such offensive weapons in their vessels.