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By Publisher<\/p>\n
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service, has recounted how operatives of the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne, played a vital role in the interception and arrest of the suspects involved in the smuggling of a huge cache if arms and live ammunition into the country.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The haul comprised 844 units of rifles, and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Adeniyi praised the operatives for their responsibility in ensuring the safety of the nation\u2019s borders and public safety.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGentlemen of the Press, you may recall that at a press briefing of this nature held recently at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos, I had disclosed attempts by criminal elements seeking to exploit our trade facilitation friendly posture to compromise our processes and procedures,\u201d the CG said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWith our robust Risk Management System, we have always remained a step ahead of their moves. When these attempts revolve around revenue generation, our automated audit systems at different levels enable us to trace, track and recover the revenue. However, when efforts are geared towards creating actions that will produce irreversible consequences on national security, our alert level is elevated to match the threats posed to us.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd so it was the case with this 1 X 40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey, and based on a number of risk factors, became a subject of interest. We had followed its sail across the Continents, as we benefited immensely from credible information produced through our collaboration with the intelligence communities, both at the local, national and international levels.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWorking within our local structures, we followed diligently as the Importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal.\u00a0 Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to thorough physical examination. The examination result revealed the following alarming contents:<\/span><\/p>\n The breakdown is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n III.\u00a0 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (\u20a64,171,710,000.00).<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice. Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn another development, our officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8\u00d740-foot container onon transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928. Upon examination, they were found to contain the following:<\/span><\/p>\n Six containers laden with:<\/span><\/p>\n III. Duty-paid value: Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira (\u20a69,600,000,000.00)<\/span><\/p>\n Two containers laden with:<\/span><\/p>\n The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (\u20a613,915,710,000.00).<\/span><\/p>\n III. The suspects arrested would be handed over to the Centre for further processing. We will work diligently with other Agencies of Government to apprehend all other cohorts and Death Merchants involved in this monkey business.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n VII. Officers who kept faith with the Oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs I conclude, let me warmly commend the professional commitment of the Customs Area Comptroller Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede and through him his Officers and Men, for the meticulous approach deployed to this operation. I also acknowledge our various partners, local and international who provided us the much needed information to successfully prosecute this operation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFinally, this seizure serves as a strong warning to others who may be contemplating similar misadventures, my message to them is simple; we will run you out of business. The Nigeria Customs Service, under my leadership, will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation.\u00a0 Thank you for your attention and cooperation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Publisher Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service, has recounted how operatives of the Port…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[165],"class_list":["post-477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-nigerian-customs-service"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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