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.”
The Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has called for a fresh process…
Brian Brobbey's hat-trick for Sunderland could not prevent Manchester City opening up a three-point lead…
A heavily pregnant internally displaced woman has been found dead after leaving an informal IDP…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has challenged former Vice President and African…
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York,…
Former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris has reportedly died in the United Kingdom at the…
This website uses cookies.