Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Acting Customs Area Controller in charge of Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, has disclosed that “proactive intelligence” embarked upon by operatives of the command led to the interception and seizure of cache of smuggled ammunitions at a border town in the state.
Shuaibu said despite the high intelligence operation by the arm smugglers to conceal their live ammunitions, his men with the collaborative efforts of law abiding citizens in the country thwarted “the evil plans of the enemies of the state”.
The Customs Area Controller, who stated this while addressing newsmen on the seizure of 975 rounds of ammunition, at the Idiroko Border Post, explained that operatives of the command had an Intel on Monday, November 27, that five bags of foreign parboiled rice containing live cartridges of red star ammunition had been carefully hidden in a bush path along the Palace/Ayetoro road in Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He added that the operatives, however, went to the spot and evacuated the 5 bags of rice without any encounter.
“On Monday, 27 November 2023, our operatives went on a professional and intelligence-based operation to unravel the antics deployed by unscrupulous elements to bring in live ammunition through Imeko axis of the State. We have been on the trail of ammunition for about a week ago.
“Fortunately, at 0005hrs of the day, we got an intel that the 5 bags of foreign parboiled rice containing live cartridges of red star ammunition had been carefully hidden in a bush path along the Palace/Ayetoro road, Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State. Our operatives went to the spot and evacuated the 5 bags of rice without any encounter.
“The bags of rice were suspected because of the unusual threading and sewing of the sacks. This quickly aroused the suspicion of our operatives leading to their opening for proper examination at the border station. During the examination, about 975 rounds of red star live cartridges were found to have been ingeniously concealed in the bags. We have intensified efforts at tracking down the perpetrators of this nefarious act for them to be brought to justice”, Shuaibu stated.
The Customs boss noted that smuggling of arms and ammunition are menace that knows no border and feeds on the vulnerability of the society.
He stressed that the consequences of unchecked smuggling of arms and ammunition are severe, ranging from the empowerment of criminal organizations to escalating crisis and compromise of national security.
“We recognize the potential danger of arms and ammunition trafficking which is life threatening. For these reasons, we will not relent or compromise waging war against smuggling of unlawful arms and ammunition in building a safe and stable nation. We shall not renege in our efforts in combatting smuggling activities in its entirety.
“Let me use this medium to reiterate that we remain resolute in promoting national security and economic wellbeing of our beloved country. We will not be deterred by any means possible in discharging our statutory responsibilities to our fatherland”, Shuaibu submitted.