The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of a container filled with guns at Ports & Terminal Multi-Services Ltd (PTML) and Tin-Can Island Ports.

According to reports, the container was destined for the South-East region of the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, revealed that the discovery was made during a joint inspection exercise involving Customs, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), and the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration (NDLEA).

Adeniyi emphasised the commitment and dedication of the NCS officers in carrying out their duties.

“Since assuming the role of Acting Comptroller General, our officers and men have shown unwavering dedication. Their diligence and perseverance have been the foundation of our operations. Our actions within the NCS have been guided by a deep sense of purpose, aligned with the current administration’s vision of renewed hope,” he said.

He further acknowledged the NCS’s role in contributing to the objectives of the President Tinubu-led Administration, as outlined in the Policy Advisory Council’s Road Map document.

Adeniyi highlighted the government’s focus on revenue generation and national security, which has further aligned the NCS’s activities with the overarching goals.

The acting CG of customs proceeded to announce the recent achievements in suppressing smuggling and ensuring national security.

He detailed the interception of smuggled arms and ammunition by diligent NCS officers at various commands and formations.

“On July 5, 2023, a joint operation involving the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security, the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration, and the Customs Intelligence Unit took place at Ports Terminal and Multi Services Limited (PTML) Command,” Adeniyi explained.

“During a thorough physical examination of a 40ft container, 10 dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunition were discovered concealed inside plastic drums.”

The arms and ammunition seized included 3 new Pump Action rifles, one new unit of an armed rifle, six new pistols of different makes, one new millennium G2 pistol, one new Sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol, one new Lugger Security-9 pistol, one new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol, one new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, one new Taurus (63 pistol), 14 empty magazines, and 442 rounds of live ammunition.

Adeniyi further disclosed that the clearing agent, Mr. Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Ltd, and Mr. Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the container, are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizure.