CUSTOMS HANDS OVER MULTI-MILLION NAIRA ARMS & AMMUNITION TO OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
No less than 3,897 assorted arms as well as live cartridges worth millions of naira, intercepted by the customs at various operations were today handed over to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) via the National centre for the control of small arms and light weapons.
The Comptroller General of the customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, disclosed that through inter-agency cooperation, particularly with the office of the Attorney General of the federation, the service successfully prosecuted the case, with the defendants convicted on eight count charges.
According to him, the success of the prosecution reinforces the service’s zero-tolerance stance against arms trafficking and validates the effectiveness of the judicial collaboration.
‘Our proven investigative and prosecutorial approach is currently being applied to recent seizures at the port of Onne, where ongoing investigations continue to yield significant progress within established legal frameworks’ Adeniyi noted.
The Nigeria Customs Service has reinforced its core mandate of protecting our national borders through targeted anti-smuggling operations and precise
intelligence-driven interventions. Their track record intercepting illegal arms and ammunition underscores our frontline role in maintaining national security.
Today’s handover ceremony of seized arms to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) exemplifies our active collaboration with stakeholders in ridding our society of illicit weapons and strengthening public safety.
According to the CG, In May 2018, the Service intercepted a significant cache of arms consisting of 440 pump action rifles and accessories, ingeniously concealed within 516 bags of Plaster of Paris (POP) cement in a lx20ft container with number PONU210024/1. This seizure coincided with heightened security challenges from armed bandits in the North-West and illegal arms proliferation in the South-East, revealing the linkage between transnational smuggling networks and our domestic security challenges. Through sustained intelligence operations, they
intercepted two additional containers -CMAU 189817/8 and GESU 255208/1 at Tin-Can Island Port, similarly concealing arms and ammunition among sanitary
wares. Today’s handover encompasses a total of 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges recovered from these operations.
Following this seizure, they deployed forensic capabilities to conduct detailed electronic analysis of Customs documentation and shipping records.
Through established diplomatic channels, he said they partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the Turkish bmbassy, leading to definitive identification of the purchasing company. The investigation trail, supported by financial records obtained through court orders, enabled us to establish the identities of those behind this illegal arms shipment.
Through strategic inter-agency cooperation, particularly with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, they successfully prosecuted the case (Suit No: FHCIL339C/2018) before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The defendants – Great James Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeuwa Moses Christ, and Emeka Umeh Festus A.K.A (Amankwa) – were convicted on eight count charges.
This prosecution success reinforces the Service’s zero-tolerance stance against arms trafficking and validates the effectiveness of our judicial collaboration. Our proven investigative and prosecutorial approach is currently being applied to recent seizures at the Port of Onne, where ongoing investigations continue to yield significant progress within established legal frameworks.
Their integrated strategy combining thorough investigation, decisive
prosecution, and successful conviction has proven effective in dismantling smuggling networks. Speaking clearly – the Service will spare no resource in hunting down, exposing, and prosecuting anyone who attempts to compromise our national security through arms trafficking. They stand ready to deploy their full arsenal of intelligence and enforcement capabilities to protect legitimate trade while ensuring Nigeria’s security interests remain paramount.
He salute the professionalism and courage of our officers who work tirelessly, often in challenging circumnstances, to protect our borders. To partner agencies who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them in this fight – ‘your support has been instrumental in these achievements. Together, we continue to build formidable barriers against those who threaten our national security’.
He conclude on the note that, the handover of these weapons to NCCSALW today symbolizes the Service’s commitment to proper disposal of seized arms and highlights our resolve to rid our nation of illegal weapons. He said, they will continue the ongoing collaborations with relevant authorities to strengthen our borders and protect our nation.