The operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted military hardware and accoutrements at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this in Lagos on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Adeniyi, in a statement issued by the Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, noted that the military and para-military hardware and accoutrements worth N1.29 billion.
He stated that the seizure was made alongside a cache of arms and ammunition valued at N270 million at the cargo section of the Lagos airport.
The Customs boss said the consignment was imported from Turkey, adding that one suspect was arrested in connection with the crime.
Adeniyi said: “The military accoutrements are drones, ballistic vests, helmets, walkie-talkies among others.
“Also, on display are some military and paramilitary accoutrements improperly imported without end users’ certificates with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.29 billion.
Customs intercepts N270m rifles at Lagos airport
“The breakdown of these items is as follows: 148 pieces of drones; 172 pieces of ballistic vest; 15 pieces of ballistic vest; one piece of ballistic helmet; 8 pieces of walkie-talkies; 9,172 pieces of military and para-military badges.
“Others are 20 pieces of camouflage uniform; 100 pieces of camouflage vest; 172 pieces of Camouflage caps and 120 pieces of binoculars.
“The suspect arrested will be handed over to the centre for further processing. We will work diligently with other agencies of government to apprehend all other parties to this illicit importation.”
The Customs boss added that the analysis of the latest seizure with similar recent seizures indicated that some Nigerians based in Turkey were purchasing, packaging, and exporting illicit arms to Nigeria.
He said: “Intelligence further revealed that they are exploring new frontiers to perpetrate their nefarious activities.
“Still, I can assure Nigerians that all our commands are on red alert to intercept any such illicit arms importation.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known…
A python found inside a residential building in the Daneji area of Kano State has…
Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah arrived in Istanbul on Wednesday to complete his move to…
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly declared his intention to contest for the presidency,…
The Accord Party presidential candidate, Prof. Christopher Imumolen, has withdrawn from the 2027 presidential race…
No fewer than three persons lost their lives, while three others sustained injuries in a…
This website uses cookies.