Customs blocks criminal access to military camouflages, seizes container load in Lagos
Eagle-eyed monitoring and evaluation officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) command have impounded a 40-feet container laden with 732 roles of plain army uniform and 666 camouflages to officials of the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
Controller of the command, Comptroller Mrs. Lami Wushishi who handed over the military uniforms to DSS’ Director of Intelligence, James Iliya, explained that the undeclared items smartly concealed inside other textile wares, were hidden inside polyester materials imported into the country from China.
She noted that her men discovered the contraband during routine physical examination and that two suspects, the agent and a representative of the importer were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Both the arrested men and goods were handed over to the DSS for further investigation.
In her remarks, Wushishi said “This container was brought in from China and was manifested as polyester materials. We have 220 packages of polyester materials and 150 package of thread but on examination when the container was open, we saw the polyester materials but three quarter of the container has military uniform consisting of 732 roles of plain army uniform and 666 camouflage, one type for the army and the another type for the Joint Task Force (JTF).”
“Due to the security nature we have in the country, such consignment should not come in. Moreover, army uniforms are exempted from payment of duty under schedule two of items exempted from duty payment. So it beats our imagination. Why would they conceal army uniform in this container if they don’t have an ulterior motive to it?
“The items are regulated and you need a permit to bring in either military or paramilitary uniforms, so due to our collaboration we are handing over the military uniforms and two suspects to the DSS for further investigation.
She used the occasion to call on clearing agents to always make honest declaration in doing their jobs so as to maintain good working relations with Nigerian customs.
