Less than 48 hours after intercepting a container of arms at Onne Port, Rivers State, the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced another significant seizure at Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, in Lagos.
The latest interception involved 55 unassembled pieces of Jojef Magnum semi-automatic shotguns and a cache of ammunition imported from Turkey, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) totaling N270 million.
Discovered at the cargo section of MMA, the consignment was concealed within a shipment that included military hardware and accessories.
Acting on credible intelligence, Customs officials conducted a thorough examination and found the illicit items disguised as shower faucets in packages.
One suspect has been apprehended and is cooperating with ongoing investigations.
CGC Adeniyi highlighted recent successes in arms seizures nationwide, underscoring Customs’ proactive measures against illegal arms trafficking. He noted that Nigerian collaborators in Turkey were identified in sourcing and exporting these illegal arms, utilizing new methods to avoid detection.
In addition to firearms, the Customs Command at MMA also seized military and paramilitary equipment valued at N1.29 billion.
This included drones, ballistic vests, helmets, walkie talkies, and various military insignia. These items were imported without the necessary end-user certificates, further complicating their legality under Nigerian law.
Concluding his statement, the CGC affirmed that all seized items would be transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution.
He assured the public of Customs’ commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing threats to national security and economic stability.