The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area one Command, has disclosed its operatives intercepted 975 rounds of red star live cartridges concealed in bags of foreign parboiled rice.
Ahmadu Shuaibu, the Acting Customs Area Controller, revealed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the Command’s headquarters at Idiroko.
According to him, officers of the Command impounded the ammunition based on a professional and intelligence-based operation “to unravel the antics deployed by unscrupulous elements to bringing in live ammunition through Imeko axis of the State”.
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The Acting Area Controller said: “The bags of rice were suspected because of the unusual threading and sewing of the sacks. This quickly arouse 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. We recognize the potential danger of arms and ammunition trafficking which is life threatening. We shall not renege in our efforts in combatting smuggling activities in its entirety.”
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Shuaibu expressed satisfaction that his men were able to thwart “the evil plans of the enemies of the State from smuggling of live ammunition into the country”.
“It requires concerted and collaborative efforts of law-abiding citizens of this country to checkmate. Proactive intelligence is required in this regard. Smuggling of arms and ammunition are menace that knows no border and feeds on the vulnerability of our society.
“The consequences of unchecked smuggling of arms and ammunition is severe, ranging from the empowerment of criminal organizations to escalating crisis and compromise of national security,” He said.
