A container, which originated from Turkey, became a subject of interest. Nigerian customs service has seized more than 800 rifles and 100,000 pieces of live ammunition hidden in a shipping container, a senior official said on Monday.
The suspicious container on June 21 was subjected to thorough physical examination.
Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said the examination result revealed the alarming contents of 844 units of rifles, and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.
The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.
The duty paid value of the container is four billion, one hundred and seventy one million, seven hundred and ten thousand Naira (₦4,171,710,000.00).
The customs service has three suspects in its custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.
“Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law,” Adeniyi told reporters.
In another customs bust on June 29, officials seized six containers with bottles of codeine cough syrup and other tablets, and two containers laden with 720 bales of used clothes with duty-paid value ₦144,000,000.00, he said.
Adeniyi said the eight containers whose contents were wrongly declared to evade duty payment.
As far as the 40-footer container, bearing 844 units of assorted rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition is seized, alongside the other contents.
“The Nigeria customs service, under my leadership, will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation,” the senior official added.
