The officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, have intercepted 975 rounds of live cartridges of red star ammunition concealed in five bags of rice along the Palace/Ayetoro road in the Imeko Afon Local Government of the state.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, disclosed this to journalists at the Idiroko area of Ogun State on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
Shuaibu stated that the seizure was made on November 27 following an intelligence report that the five bags of foreign parboiled rice containing live cartridges of red star ammunition had been hidden in a bush path along the Palace/Ayetoro road.
He disclosed that the Customs officers went to the spot and evacuated the five bags of rice without any encounter.
The Customs Area Controller said the bags of rice were suspected because of the unusual threading and sewing of the sacks.
Shuaibu said: “During the examination, about 975 rounds of red star live cartridges were found to have been ingeniously concealed in the bags.
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“We have intensified efforts at tracking down the perpetrators of this nefarious act for them to be brought to justice.
“We recognise the potential danger of arms and ammunition trafficking which is life-threatening and we shall not renege in our efforts to combat smuggling activities in its entirety.”
Shuaibu noted that the consequences of unchecked smuggling of arms and ammunition are severe, ranging from the empowerment of criminal organisations to escalating crisis and compromise of national security.
“For these reasons, we will not relent nor compromise waging war against smuggling of unlawful arms and ammunition in building a safe and stable nation,” he added.
Shuaibu, who reiterated the Command’s resolve to promote national security and the country’s economic well-being, appreciated the Customs officers for their bravery and commended the patriotism of informants for their partnership.
He further called on well-meaning Nigerians with helpful reports to collaborate with the Service in enhancing the security of the country.
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