The Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, on Monday displayed before the media a total of 1,100 Pump Action guns smuggled in from Turkey.
He agreed that there are chances that a cabal made of importers and some Customs officers are involved, but much detail will not be given now as an intelligence team is closing in on the syndicate.
It would be recalled that Lagos ports including Apapa and Tincan Island Ports have become a target for the cabal as each of the last two key gun seizures were made at the ports.
Business Hilights recalls that 440 Pump Action Riffles were impounded before 661 within a stretch and the latest 1,100 concealed in white sacks.
The CG hailed the operatives of Tincan Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) for their diligence which led to the seizures. The guns were impounded on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 while CIU were conducting 100 per cent examination. They were concealed with wash hand ceramic wares in a 20 feet container.
The CG revealed further that a senior Customs official who was fingered in conniving with a clearing agent to attempt the clearance have been arrested and are making useful statements. He also hinted that the court cases on the importers and clearing agents involved in the last two arms smuggling are still in court.
In his remarks, the CAC of the Command, Mr. Bashar Yusuf said his men will double their efforts, stressing that Tincan Island port is no longer safe for smugglers of any kind of banned items.
