From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has said that it has taken control of a 40-foot container loaded with 844 rifles and 112,500 live ammunition seized by men of the Nigerian Customs Service in Port Harcourt.
The centre lauded what it described as “the outstanding efforts of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in intercepting a significant cache of illicit arms and ammunition.”
A statement signed by the Director, Strategic Communications and Information, Group Captain, Pius Okwuego, and made available to our correspondent in Jos, said that the intercepted container, identified as MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey  was meticulously tracked by the NCS through their robust Risk Management System.
The centre said that the seized weapons has consequently been handed over to it by the Customs
The statement said, “The comprehensive examination of the container revealed the following contents: – 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles. – 10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles. -50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles. – 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles. Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).
“These arms and ammunition were skillfully concealed within items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the seized container stands at an estimated Four Billion, One
Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira
(N4,171,710,000. 00).
“Three suspects have been detained in connection with this seizure, and further investigations are ongoing to ensure that all parties involved are brought to justice.
“The Nigerian Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officially handed over the seized arms and ammunition to the NCCSALW today in Port Harcourt.
“This transfer is a significant step in the collaborative efforts between national
security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s borders and public safety.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Kokumo (Rtd), the National Coordinator of NCCSALW, expressed his appreciation for the
NCS’s role in this operation.
The statement quoted Kokumo as saying, “This seizure is a testament to the unwavering contributions of the Nigerian Customs Service to protect our nation from the dangers posed by illicit arms.
The NCCSALW will ensure that these weapons are properly documented and destroyed to prevent them from ever posing a threat to our society.”
Kokumo emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the NCCSALW and the NCS, as well as other security agencies, to effectively com bat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and extends its gratitude to the National Security Adviser for his steadfast support and guidance in the Centre’s mission to create a safer Nigeria.