In the course of examination of an imported container from the United States, the Nigeria Customs Service Port Harcourt Area II Command Onne discovered a pistol and 100 pieces of 9mm ammunition carefully concealed in a container.
While showcasing the seized ammunition to journalists on Friday, 3 November, 2023, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Baba Imam, revealed that the ammunition was carefully concealed in household items in a container.
“On the 26th of October 2023, in the course of examination of an imported container from United State which was declared to contain household effects and One used vehicle, was found to contain One pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition,’’ the Comptroller stated.
He said that the operatives of the Customs Intelligence Unit attached to the group of examination officers were instrumental to the discovery and that the two suspects arrested in connection with the exhibit will be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further action.
“Consequently, two suspects have been arrested in connection to this importation. The pistol, ammunition, and the two suspects shall all be handed over to the Nigerian Police Force shortly after this press briefing, as criminal cases relating to our collaborative functions with other Government agencies are handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution,” Imam said.
Further speaking, the CAC stated that the Command also impounded nine containers for violating the extant import prohibition laws with 724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tyres, 4 Vehicles used in the concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis (marijuana), 2070 cartons of Tomato paste, 1578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with codeine (100ml) and many other items with a total duty paid value of ₦1,162,424,371.00.
Imam reiterated that, beyond the collaborative functions with other Government agencies and the seizures, in the area of revenue generation and collection, the Area Command generated a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 from January 2023 to October 2023, which represents a significant increment of ₦44,145,889,008.65 over the amount generated for 2022.
“It is pertinent to state here that the Command realized the sum of over 38 Billion Naira for October alone, exceeding its monthly revenue target of 28 Billion Naira with an increment of over 10 Billion Naira. Let me at this junction be emphatic that we do not just take delight in impounding containers or making seizures of contraband goods; rather, we do this to enforce the nation’s laws and serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
While urging members of the public to cooperate and support government agencies whose role is bringing about social justice, stability, and peace in Society, he emphasized that the Command especially the Customs of today, has zero tolerance for smuggling and has no cause not to perform as every encouragement, logistics and other incentives have been given by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adebiyi MFR, which has boosted the morale of all officers to be more determined than ever to fight smuggling.
