The Nigeria Customs Service reported that its operatives have seized nine containers containing prohibited items, including arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, and second-hand clothes valued at N13.9 billion. Speaking to journalists at Onne Port, Rivers State, Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi disclosed that one of the containers, originating from Turkey, drew attention due to numerous risk factors associated with its importation.
Adeniyi detailed that a thorough physical examination conducted on June 21, 2024, revealed startling contents: 844 assorted rifles and 12,500 pieces of live ammunition concealed amidst doors, furniture fittings, and leather bags. The container, with a duty-paid value of N4.2 billion, was attempting to circumvent standard procedures through a private-bonded terminal. Three suspects were subsequently arrested under a detention warrant obtained from a competent court.
Regarding eight other containers intercepted on Saturday, Adeniyi stated they were found to contain 1.5 million bottles of codeine cough syrup in 100ml sizes and 3.5 million tablets of tramadol. These containers, transiting from a bonded terminal, were valued at N9.6 billion in duty payments. The total duty-paid value for all nine containers amounted to N13.9 billion.
Separately, the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2 of the NCS reported seizing 1,410 litres of premium motor spirit worth N30.4 million within a week. Mohammad Shuaibu, the team’s Coordinator, made this disclosure during a press briefing at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Friday, June 28, 2024.
