Extraordinary seizures : TinCan Customs unveils arms, ammunition, holds strategic press conference

Extraordinary seizures :
TinCan Customs unveils arms, ammunition, holds strategic press conference

…Assault rifles, semi-automatic guns, pump action rifles, live ammunition, cartridges of varous shapes and colours top list of seizures

It was a strategic press conference, held under very tight security, as the Customs Area Controller, CAC, of TinCan Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, unveiled mind-boggling seizures of assault rifles, semi-automatic guns, pump action rifles, live ammunition, cartridges of varous shapes and colours, heroin, cannabis sativa, as well as many dangerous drugs in the list of offensive items intercepted through intelligence.

Briefing newsmen in the conference hall at TinCan Port, filled to capacity, Comptroller Nnadi revealed that the arms, ammunition and dangerous substances were seized by his Command in collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials, who provided credible intelligence used in tracking the container of deadly cargoes in the port environment.

The press briefing was highly strategic, as the Area Controller withheld vital information, which he said would be useful for further investigation, to unravel the syndicate behind such level of economic sabotage.

Our reporter observed that entry from the front door to the conference hall where the deadly weapons were displayed was prohibited. All reporters entered the conference hall through the back door and a Customs officer positioned outside the back entrance looked the door from outside to ensure there was no movement.

The Area Controller went on : “All together, we have 11 rifles, 6 pistols. 9mm Caliber, assault rifles, various shapes and colours of cartridges brought to be used with the assault rifles. There is something significant here, you can see Co2 canisters in various sizes, various types of guns that can be used to demobilise someone.

“We also have various types of semi-automatic guns, which are very dangerous because of their nature. We will hand them over to our partner service, State Security Service.
All these mentioned here are Arms and Ammunition seized from a container in TinCan Port Command.”

Responding to questions on why the Command decided to withhold some details from the press on seizures of arms and ammunition, he said ; “The Command is withholding certain details, so as not to jeopardise investigation process.
Some people were arrested and investigation is on-going, because this is offensive items seized in the port ambience.

“We must assist our sister agency with investigation by not revealing all the details and identities of those culpable in the importation of the arms. We can’t reveal the country of origin and culprits financial transactions now “.

Comptroller Nnadi added : “We also seized substances imported into the country but were intercepted by our Command in collaboration with NDLEA. The latest includes 23 packages of heroin concealed in a container, which we are still keeping information concealed because investigation is ongoing at the moment”.