Tincan Customs attributes arms seizure to intelligence .Steps up security checks in port

Tincan Customs attributes arms seizure to intelligence

.Steps up security checks in port

By Chinonye Anyatonwu

The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Custom Services, NCS, has attributed the seizure of a 40ft container loaded with arms and ammunition at the port to intelligence put to proper use by the officers on duty.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of Tincan Command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, made this known, stressed that NCS now is intelligence driven.

According to him, the Tincan Command has stepped up security checks within its area of operations and would leave no stone unturned in seizing prohibited items smuggled into the country through the port.

He explained that the moment there was suspicion during examination process, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, of Tincan Command, Comptroller Musa Baba Abdullahi directed that the particular container be transferred immediately to the Enforcement Unit.  There, it was thoroughly examined and 150 rounds of live ammunition, as well as 28 jack knives were uncovered.

According to him, the deadly weapons were seized in two separate operations during examination at terminal ‘C’ 11 (Ports and Cargo), Tin-can Island port, and the 40ft container  No. (TGHU 60143419).

His words, “These items contravene schedule 4 absolute prohibition list items of the common External Tariff,  section 46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004. The arms carrying container and suspects arrested in connection with the items are being held at the Enforcement Station for further investigations.

“The items found include 149 rounds of 38mm caliber live Ammunition, 92 Rounds of 9mm caliber Ammunition, 2 Rounds of 7.62mm Calibre Ammunition, 11 Catridges of live Ammunition, 12 expended empty shells of various Calibres and empty magazine

“Prompted by that development, the Command’s operatives while on routine operations as vehicles were being discharged from the vessel, on July 10, 2018, at the Five Stars Logistics Terminals, found a black bag in one unpacked Ford Edge with Chasis No 2FMDK 48C9 8BA 05947.”